Comparative evaluation of efficacy of three treatment modalities – tetracycline fibers, scaling and root planing, and combination therapy: A clinical study

BACKGROUND: Tetracycline is one of the primary antibiotics prescribed for antimicrobial therapy in periodontics. It has a broad spectrum of activity being effective against most bacteria as well as spirochetes. Due to limitations of systemic drug therapy, recent formulations of the drug for local administration in the subgingival area have been introduced, including collagen fibers impregnated with tetracycline. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of tetracycline fibers alone or in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP) on clinical parameters in chronic periodontitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of twenty patients comprising of both sexes in the age group of 35-60 years with chronic periodontitis were selected. Split-mouth design was used, and three teeth from each patient with periodontal pocket measuring > 5 mm were selected which were treated with different treatment modality. They were randomly divided into site A (SRP), site B (tetracycline fibers only), and site C (combination therapy). Clinical parameters of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket probing depth, and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at 0, 30, and 45 days. The data obtained was compiled and put to statistical analysis. RESULTS: All the three groups showed improvement in PI, GI, probing pocket depth, and CAL. Results of the study showed greater improvements in clinical parameters in Group C compared to Group A and Group B. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the adjunctive use of tetracycline fibers with SRP is a clinically effective and simple nonsurgical treatment method to improve periodontal health.