COMPARATIVE CLINICAL EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF TETRACYCLINE AS ROOT CONDITIONING AGENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH PERIODONTAL FLAP SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF STAGE I/II GRADE A/B PERIODONTITIS

Introduction: Various organic and inorganic material with minute particle sizes is found which contain remnants of dental calculus, contaminated root cementum, and subgingival plaque after scaling and root planing. Various types of root biomodification agents have not only been used to remove the smear layer but also to enlarge dentinal tubules into which healing of connective tissue may be enhanced. Concentrated tetracycline solution plays a role in removing surface inorganic smear layer created on tooth surface during most dental treatment and also it may be used to expose underlying dentinal tubules. Aim & Objective: To clinically evaluate the efficacy of tetracycline as root conditioning agent in conjunction with periodontal flap surgery in the treatment of stage I/II grade A/B periodontitis Materials and Methods: A total of 20 systematically healthy patients diagnosed with Stage I/II Grade A/B periodontitis were randomly selected and divided into 2 groups. Group 1: 10 Patients received root conditioning agent Tetracycline as an adjunct to Periodontal flap surgery. Group 2:10 Patients were treated with periodontal flap surgery alone. Clinical parameters such as Plaque index, sulcular bleeding index, Probing pocket depth and Clinical attachment level were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of intervention. Results: The result showed an improvement in all clinical parameters such as PI, GI, PPD and CAL in both test and control groups when measured at baseline and after 3 months. The intergroup comparison of mean changes in all parameters from baseline to 3 month reveals a significant reduction in the Group I (test group) as compared to Group II (control group). Conclusion: It was established that root conditioning with tetracycline helped in removal of smear layer and exposure of dentinal tubules. Hence, it’s application as root conditioner has a significant role in periodontal wound healing and future new attachment.