The effects of a desiccant agent in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized, controlled clinical trial

Chemotherapeutic agents have been widely used as adjuncts for the treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP). This study investigated and compared a desiccant agent as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) versus SRP alone for the treatment of CP. Thirty-six patients with CP were studied. Using a split-mouth design, the maxillary right and left quadrants were randomly assigned to SRP plus desiccant (HybenxA (R) EPIEN Medical, Inc. St. Paul, MN, USA) or SRP alone. Patients were examined on a regular basis for clinical, microbiological, and inflammatory mediator changes over a 1-year period. Clinical attachment level (CAL) was the primary outcome variable. In addition, the red complex bacteria and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) inflammatory mediators were monitored. Compared to baseline, both treatments demonstrated an improvement in periodontal parameters. Compared to SRP alone, SRP plus desiccant yielded a significant improvement in probing depth (PD) (SRP: 2.23 +/- 0.31 mm vs. desiccant: 3.25 +/- 0.57 mm, p < 0.05), CAL (SRP: 3.16 +/- 0.29 mm vs. desiccant: 4.21 +/- 0.34 mm, p < 0.05 mm) and bleeding on probing (BOP) (SRP: 4.56 +/- 1.5% vs. desiccant: 34.23 +/- 4.2%, p < 0.001) at 12 months. Similarly, in the SRP plus desiccant group, the bacteria of the red complex were significantly reduced (p < 0.05); and the level of inflammatory mediators was significantly reduced (p < 0.003) compared to SRP alone. SRP plus the desiccant resulted in a greater reduction in clinical, microbial and inflammatory mediators compared to SRP alone. Desiccant, when combined to SRP, was demonstrated as a significant approach to control the levels of certain periodontal pathogens, inflammatory mediators in patients with CP.