Comparative evaluation of 1% melatonin gel in the treatment of intrabony defect: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background The present study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of locally delivered 1% melatonin gel as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in treatment of intrabony defect in Stage III periodontitis, clinically, and radiographically using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods This split-mouth clinical trial randomly allotted 44 bilateral intrabony defect (in 22 patients) into two groups where Group I was treated with NSPT with locally delivered placebo gel while Group II was treated with NSPT with 1% melatonin gel. The intrabony defect fill measured from cemento-enamel junction (CEJ)-base of the defect (BD), and the difference in the measurement values of CEJ-BD from baseline to 6 months denoting the bone fill and bone volume evaluated at 6 months using CBCT were the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures were change in probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index, and modified sulcus bleeding index recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Results Both the study groups showed improvements in assessed parameters, however, a significant gain in intrabony defect fill was observed in Group II (1.46 +/- 0.58) as compared with Group I (0.50 +/- 0.38) and change in bone volume for Group I was 21.4645 +/- 8.8980 mm(3) and for Group II was 51.8418 +/- 30.2329 mm(3) with P < 0.0001.The mean reduction in PD and gain in CAL was 3.90 +/- 0.78 and 2.94 +/- 0.80 in Group II and in Group I it was 3.23 +/- 0.90 and 1.96 +/- 0.80 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion The use of 1% melatonin gel as an adjunct to NSPT is more beneficial in achieving better clinical and radiographic outcome at 6 months which indicates that adjunct use of melatonin gel to NSPT as a local drug delivery is preferred when compared with NSPT and placebo gel alone.

Automated summary

This study compared the efficacy of 1% melatonin gel as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in the treatment of intrabony defects. The results showed that the use of 1% melatonin gel led to better clinical and radiographic outcomes, with improved intrabony defect fill and bone volume.