Local delivery of Chlorhexidine Chip in Treatment of Periodontitis

Local antimicrobial therapy in periodontitis involves direct placement of an antimicrobial agent(s) into subgingival sites. Use of the chlorhexidine chip (CHX) in conjunction with phase I periodontal therapy has shown some effectiveness in reducing periodontal probing depth, clinical attachment loss and bleeding on probing. Patients with chronic periodontitis having periodontal pocket depth 5 mm with age group 25-60 belonging to both sexes were included in the present study. The test site and the control site were randomly assigned. Along with phase I periodontal therapy, test sites received CHX chip while control site received placebo chip. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL) & gingival margin position (GP) were assessed at all selected sites at baseline and subsequently at 1,3, 6 and 9 months following the day of CHX chip & placebo chip placement. Radiographs were taken at baseline, 6 and 9 months. The results of the present study favours the use of chlorhexidine gluconate chip as an adjunct to phase I periodontal therapy in treatment of chronic periodontitis.