Treatment of chronic periodontitis patients with chlorhexidine chip as an adjunct to scaling and root planing: a critical analysis

Background: Periodontal disease is a polymicrobial infection primarily caused by periodontal pathogens existing within the subgingival plaque. The conventional method of lowering the bacterial load in the periodontal pocket constitutes scaling and root planing, but to prevent recolonization the use of adjunctive methods has been advocated. The use of controlled release devices enables maintenance of concentration of antimicrobial agent within the pocket.
Aim: To assess the efficacy of chlorhexidine chip as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis patients.
Materials and Methods: A total of 40 chronic periodontitis patients (aged 35‑55 years) having pocket depth of ≥5 mm in molars were selected and randomly divided into following treatment groups: Group I: Scaling and root planing (SRP), Group II: SRP along with chlorhexidine chip. The clinical and microbial parameters were recorded at baseline and 1 and 3 months post treatment. Stastical analysis used: Mann-Whitney Test, Wilcoxon Signed Test, T-Test, Pearson’s Chi square Test and Variability Test were used.
Results: Plaque index (PI), modified bleeding index (m-BI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) scores in selected teeth within the groups at different time intervals were highly significant (P < 0.001) after 3rd month. Although, the comparison between groups for specific microbiota in selected sites at different intervals was not statistically significant at baseline and 1 month, it reached statistical significance at 3rd month post treatment in both groups.
Conclusion: Local drug delivery using chlorhexidine chip enhances the benefit of scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.