Evaluation of the local effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment with and without systemic antibiotic and photodynamic therapy in generalized aggressive periodontitis. A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

This study's aim was to evaluate the local effect of clarithromycin associated with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in the treatment of generalized aggressive periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study sample comprised 72 periodontal pockets on single-rooted teeth in multiple quadrants, with both probing depth and clinical attachment level ≥5 mm, and with bleeding on probing. The pockets were randomly distributed into four groups (n = 18 each) that received ultrasonic periodontal debridement in addition to placebo (the UPD group), systemic clarithromycin (the UPD + CLM group), aPDT (the UPD + aPDT group), or both systemic clarithromycin and aPDT (the UPD + CLM + aPDT group). The measurements were performed prior to treatment (baseline) and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The following parameters were evaluated: plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth, gingival recession, and clinical attachment level. A 5% significance level was used in the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

At 3 months, UPD + aPDT, UPD + CLM, and UPD + CLM + aPDT groups all exhibited reduced probing depths relative to the UPD group (p <  0.05). However, at 6 months, the reduction in mean probing depth was greater in the antibiotic groups (UPD+CLM and UPD+CLM+aPDT) than in the UPD and UPD+aPDT groups (p <  0.05). Regarding clinical attachment level, only the UPD+CLM+aPDT group presented a significant gain relative to the UPD and UPD + PDT groups (p <  0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasonic periodontal debridement has greater clinical advantages when associated with clarithromycin than with associated with aPDT. However, the joint application of aPDT and clarithromycin did not present additional benefits.