The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of subgingivally delivered 10% doxycycline hyclate and xanthan based chlorhexidine gels when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

A randomized, controlled, single center study was conducted involving 90 sites in 30 patients suffering from moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis. Each patient contributed three sites which were randomized to three treatment groups: SRP + insertion of doxycycline gel [SRP+DH], SRP + insertion of chlorhexidine gel [SRP+CHX]), and SRP alone [SRP]. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months post therapy.

All treatments showed significant reductions in PPD and CAL at 1 and 3 months when compared to baseline values (p<0.001). At 3 months, sites treated with SRP+DH and SRP+CHX showed an additional reduction in PPD of 0.86 ± 1.0 mm and 0.66 ± 1.58 mm, respectively, significantly greater than SRP alone (p<0.02). Differences in mean PPD reduction between SRP+DH and SRP+CHX were not significant (p=0.46). At 3 months, differences in relative CAL between both SRP+DH (0.80 ± 0.92) and SRP+CHX (0.63 ± 1.47) and SRP alone were statistically significant (p<0.02). Differences in relative CAL between SRP+DH and SRP+CHX were not significant (p=0.54).

The results suggest treatment with 10% doxycycline hyclate and xanthan based chlorhexidine gels as an adjunct to SRP improves PPD and CAL patients with periodontitis compared to SRP alone.

The use of local drug therapy may refocus the need for surgical periodontal therapy toward deeper pockets.

Gupta R, Pandit N, Aggarwal S, Verma A. Comparative Evaluation of Subgingivally Delivered 10% Doxycycline Hyclate and Xanthan-based Chlorhexidine Gels in the Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis. J Contemp Dent Pract 2008 November; (9)7:025-032.