Guava leaf extract - Phytochemical therapy for periodontitis patients

Introduction: Periodontitis is one of the most prevailing diseases associated with the oral cavity. It is important to treat the disease effectively as it results in tooth loss and also affects the host extensively. Treatment of periodontitis includes various surgical and non-surgical modalities. Non-Surgical modalities include Scaling and Root Planing (SRP), Local Drug Delivery (LDD), laser and HMT therapy. In the present study, the effect of guava leaf extract gel as a local drug delivery agent for the treatment of chronic periodontitis is evaluated. Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the efficacy of guava gel extract as a local drug delivery agent in patients with periodontitis following scaling and root planing (SRP). Materials and method: A randomized, controlled study was conducted in 21 systemically healthy patients suffering from moderate periodontitis with isolated pockets (pocket depths 45mm). Clinical parameters GI, PI and PPD were recorded at baseline and subsequently after 7th, 14th and 21st day. The study design consisted of three groups, each group having 7 subjects, allocated in these groups randomly. Group A - Guava leaf extract gel (7), Group B – Chlorhexidine group (7), Group C - Control group (7). Results: Both the groups, Group A and Group B showed similar reduction in Gingival Index, Plaque Index and Probing Pocket Depth values when compared at baseline and on 21st day but the differences failed to reach the level of significance. Conclusions: The results suggest that Guava leaf extract gel as a local drug delivery is highly effective and comparable to gold standard.