The Effect of Locally Delivered Xanthan-Based CHLO-SITE Gel with Scaling and Root Planning in the Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis: Microbial Findings

Abstract

Background: This study was designed in order to evaluate the microbiological effectiveness of a locally delivered xanthan-based CHLO-SITE gel as an adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planning in the treatment of moderate-advanced chronic periodontitis.

Methods: In a randomized controlled split-mouth clinical trial, 20 patients with chronic periodontitis and pocket depth of 4-6 mm were selected. One side of the mouth served as control where scaling and root planning was performed as routine while the other side of the same mouth (experimental site) was treated by an extra injection of xanthan-based CHLO-SITE gel. Samples were taken from both sites on baseline, 1 month and 3 months post-treatment periods. Samples were exposed to nutrient material followed by colony counts. Data were then analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranks and Friedman tests.

Results: At baseline, there was no significant difference in colony counts between the control and the experimental sites (P = 0.36). However, after 1 month follow up, the mean colony count was 13850
 ± 2253 and 151610 ± 11248 at experimental and control sites, respectively, with a significant difference between the two sites (P < 0.05). A significant difference was also found in colony count between the two groups in 3 months follow up episode (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: It seems that subgingival injection of xanthan-based CHLO-SITE gel could cause a significantly higher decrease in colony count than that of scaling and root planning therapy alone in chronic periodontitis.

Keywords: Drugs, gels, periodontitis, xanthan gum.