Subgingival triclosan-polydimethylsiloxane gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of a triclosan-polydimethylsiloxane-containing gel when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing on the treatment of chronic periodontal disease.

METHODS: A 3-month, double-blind, randomized parallel design clinical trial was performed in 20 subjects with chronic periodontitis. The subjects, presenting at least three anterior sites with probing depth (PD) +/- 5 mm and bleeding on probing (BoP), were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: Group SRP-T: scaling/root planing plus test gel application (triclosan 1% + polydimethylsiloxane 13%) or Group SRP: scaling/root planing plus control gel application (polydimethylsiloxane 13%). Immediately following mechanical therapy, each assigned gel was applied to the selected sites and once a week during the following 3 weeks. Re-examinations were carried out on days 45 and 90 after the last irrigation.

RESULTS: Significant reductions in PD and clinical attachment level (CAL) were observed for both groups in both periods (P < 0.05). However, SRP-T showed lower means of PD than SRP at Day 45 (3.60 +/- 0.87 versus 4.77 +/- 1.38, respectively, P = 0.035) and CAL at both 45 days (4.63 +/- 1.17 versus 6.07 +/- 1.43, P = 0.023) and 90 days (4.45 +/- 1.19 versus 5.91 +/- 1.37, P = 0.021). No differences were found for bleeding on probing, plaque index and gingival recession (P > 0.05) between groups.