Azithromycin as an adjunct approach in Non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis

Abstract

 Azithromycin as an adjunct approach in Non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis

 

 Dr. Paknejad M .,¹ Dr. Khorsand A ., ¹ Dr. Veisi N .,² Dr. Moslemi N .,^3 Dr. Kharazifard MJ. ⁴

  

  ¹ Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry , Tehran University of Medical Sicences. Tehran, Iran. ² Dentist. ³ Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology , School of Dentistry , Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran. ⁴ Dentist, Member Dental Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran.

 

  (Received 30 Nov, 2009 Accepted 30 June, 2010)

  

  Abstract

  

  Background and Aim : The use of antibiotics in conjunction with scaling and root planning is indicated in several cases of periodontitis. Azithromycin is effective against gram negative microorganisms and has a long half life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Azithromycin on clinical parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis.

  Materials and Method : This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted by recruiting 40 patients with chronic periodontitis referring to the Periodontics Department of Tehran University Dental School. The Papilla Bleeding index (PBI), Probing Depth (PD), and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) were measured. The clinical examination was folloed by scaling and root planning (SRP). Patients were assigned randomly to test (Azithromycin, 500 mg once daily for 3 days) and control (placebo, once daily for 3 days) groups one month after SRP. All parameters were measured again 2 and 4 months after baseline evaluation .

  Results : Before administration of antibiotics (one month after baseline) the levels of clinical parameters (PBI, PD, and CAL) were not statistically different between the test and control groups. All clinical parameters (PBI, PD, and CAL) were significantly improved in both test and control groups one month after baseline (P‹0.05). In addition, all parameters were significantly lower in test group when compared with control group at 2 and 4 months (P‹0.05). Conclusions : Within the limits of this study, oral administration of Azithromycin in conjunction with scaling and root planning was useful in the treatment of moderate to severe chronic periodontitis.

  Key words : Azithromycin – Chronic periodontitis – Antibacterial agents – Periodontal diseases.

 

  

  Corresponding Author : Dr. Moslemi N ., Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology , School of Dentistry , Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran.

  

  e.mail: nmoslemi@razi.tums.ac.ir