Alteration of root surface morphology by topical application of doxycycline hydrochloride on periodontally diseased human teeth.

The objective of this study was to describe the surface morphology of periodontally involved root cementum and its alteration following topically applied doxycycline hydrochloride to root-planed and non-planed samples. Root surfaces were treated with 100 mg/mL doxycycline hydrochloride solution for three minutes. A control group was treated with sterile saline. Observations made by scanning electron microscopy showed that treating the periodontally diseased cementum surfaces altered the surface topography significantly. Root planed, doxycycline-treated surfaces showed characteristics similar to those reported for citric acid conditioning. An important finding of the study was that the topical application of doxycycline hydrochloride also removed and/or altered the surface integument on non-planed root surfaces.