PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Söder

Publications and source records attributed to B Söder.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Levels of matrix metalloproteinases-8 and -9 with simultaneous presence of periodontal pathogens in gingival crevicular fluid as well as matrix metalloproteinase-9 and cholesterol in blood.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -8 and -9 with the simultaneous presence of periodontal pathogens in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) as well as MMP-9 and cholesterol in blood. Although bacterial pathogens are required to initiate the periodontal disease process, in some individuals the reaction to bacteria may lead to an excessive host response, resulting in a general inflammatory response. METHODS: MMP-9 and lipids were analyzed from the blood samples of 33 subjects with a 16-year history and oral health records of periodontal disease as well as from 31 periodontally healthy controls. Information was obtained on education, body mass index, and family history of atherosclerosis. GCF was taken to determine MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels, and bacterial samples were simultaneously collected for polymerase chain reaction assessment of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. Analysis of variance, chi-squared test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the results. RESULTS: Demographic data showed significant differences between patients and controls in smoking (P < 0.01), body mass index (P < 0.05), family history of atherosclerotic disease (P < 0.01), and education (P < 0.01). Significant differences were also observed in oral health data, in the detection of P. gingivalis (P < 0.001), P. intermedia (P < 0.01), P. nigrescens (P < 0.001), and T. forsythia (P < 0.001) and in the levels of MMP-8 and MMP-9 in GCF between patients and controls. T. forsythia[odds ratio(OR) 10.1; P = 0.001] and age (OR 5.54; P = 0.008) appeared to be the main independent predictors for high MMP-8 in GCF. Patients had significantly higher total cholesterol (P < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.05), and triglycerides (P < = 0.01) than controls. Plasma levels of MMP-9 were significantly higher in patients than in controls (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Specific periodontal microorganisms appeared to induce host response, with increased release of MMP-8 and MMP-9 in gingival pockets as well as of MMP-9 in plasma, possibly triggering its up-regulation in blood.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

Relationship of changes in interleukin-8 levels and granulocyte elastase activity in gingival crevicular fluid to subgingival periodontopathogens following non-surgical periodontal therapy in subjects with chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of scaling and root planing (SRP) on the interrelations of subgingival periodontopathogens and both interleukin-8 (IL-8) and granulocyte elastase activity in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and to assess their relations to the short-term treatment response in management of chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: GCF and subgingival plaque were collected from 16 subjects with untreated chronic periodontitis at baseline and 4 weeks after SRP. IL-8 levels were determined by ELISA. Granulocyte elastase activity was analyzed with a specific substrate, pGluProVal-pNA, and the maximal rate of elastase activity (MR-EA) was calculated. 5 DNA-probes were used to detect the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans (A. a.), B. forsythus (B.f.), P. gingivalis (P.g.), P. intermedia (P.i.), and T. denticola (T.d.), with a sensitivity = 103 cells/paper point. RESULTS: IL-8 and MR-EA levels in GCF decreased significantly after SRP (p < 0.001) with a corresponding reduction of total count of the species. Of the sites with probing depth (PD) >/= 5.0 mm and co-infection by B.f., P.g., P.i. & T.d. at baseline, the sites without persistent co-infection of these species after SRP exhibited a significant reduction of IL-8 levels (p < 0.02), MR-EA levels (p < 0.02) and PD (p < 0.01). No such change was found in the sites where such a co-infection persisted. Moreover, reduction of IL-8 levels in those pocket sites was accompanied by a concomitant reduction of MR-EA (p < 0.02) and PD (p < 0.01), while no significant change in MR-EA levels and PD was noted in those pocket sites that exhibited an increase of IL-8 levels after SRP. At baseline, the former group of sites showed significantly higher IL-8 levels than the latter group of sites (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: IL-8-related granulocyte elastase activity was related to the change in infection patterns of the target periodontopathogens following scaling and root planing. Varying initial IL-8 levels in GCF and a corresponding shifting change of granulocyte elastase activity in GCF may characterize the different short-term treatment responses.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Interleukin-8 and granulocyte elastase in gingival crevicular fluid in relation to periodontopathogens in untreated adult periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the relationships among interleukin (IL)-8 and granulocyte elastase levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and the concomitant presence of periodontopathogens in untreated adult periodontitis. METHODS: GCF and subgingival plaque samples were collected from 16 patients with untreated adult periodontitis and 10 healthy control subjects. IL-8 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Granulocyte elastase was analyzed with a neutrophilic granulocyte-specific, low molecular weight and chromogenic substrate, L-pyroglutamyl-L-prolyl-L-valine-p-nitroanilide, and the maximal rate of elastase activity (MR-EA) was calculated. Five DNA probes were used to detect the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.), B. forsythus (B.f.), P. gingivalis (P.g.), P. intermedia (P.i.), and T. denticola (T.d.). RESULTS: Lower IL-8 concentrations and higher granulocyte elastase activities were found in patients than in healthy controls as well as in diseased conditions co-infected with B.f., P.g., P.i., and T.d. as compared to healthy conditions without the target species (P <0.05). IL-8 concentrations were positively correlated with MR-EA levels in the periodontitis conditions co-infected with B.f., P.g., P.i., and T.d. (P <0.05). A wide range of IL-8 concentrations was found among 15 patients when the periodontitis condition was characterized by co-infection with B.f., P.g., P.i., and T.d. MR-EA levels in the high IL-8 group of subjects were significantly higher than those in the low IL-8 group of subjects (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that the local host-bacteria interactions in untreated periodontitis are diverse in terms of the intensity of inflammatory responses measured by IL-8-related granulocyte elastase activity in GCF. This might reflect different phases of the inflammatory response due to shifts in host-bacteria interactions and therefore be indicative of a range of periodontal disease activity levels.

Actinobacillus Infections↗
PubMed2000

The relation between foetor ex ore, oral hygiene and periodontal disease.

Bad breath usually originates in the mouth. It is described with different names as oral malodor, halitosis or foetor ex ore. Dental plaque, bacterial products from deep periodontal pockets and bacterial products from the tongue probably cause bad breath but also bacterial products from tonsils and pharynx probably are involved. In this study we clinically examined subjects with very strong bad breath, foetor ex ore. Foetor ex ore was defined as strong evil-smelling odor from the mouth of the patient which had an affect on the examiner and made the oral examination excruciating. Subjects with foetor ex ore are not aware of it. It is usually noticed by others. There are also persons who complain of bad breath that cannot be detected by others, halitophobia. Our aim was to study the relation between foetor ex ore, halitophobia and oral hygiene, periodontal disease. A total of 840 men, mean age 35.7(+/- 2.8 SD) and 841 women, mean age 35.7+/- 2.9 SD), participated. Clinical findings were noted, including the presence or absence of foetor ex ore. The subjects also filled in a self-reported questionnaire concerning problems in the oral cavity and teeth. Foetor ex ore was present in 2.4 percent of the subjects. Multiple regression analysis showed that calculus (P < 0.001), plaque (P < 0.01), and dental visits once every 3 yr. (P < 0.01) were significantly correlated to foetor ex ore. Periodontitis patients with foetor ex ore had more severe disease (P < 0.001) than those without. Foetor ex ore was not related to suspected halitosis. One percent of the subjects had suspected halitosis. Using multiple regression analysis, we found a significant correlation between calculus (P < 0.001) and suspected halitosis. In conclusion this study shows that foetor ex ore was correlated to oral hygiene and dental visits. Periodontitis patients with foetor ex ore had more severe disease than those without.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Granulocyte elastase activity and PGE2 levels in gingival crevicular fluid in relation to the presence of subgingival periodontopathogens in subjects with untreated adult periodontitis.

This study aimed to determine the association between the levels of granulocyte elastase and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in GCE and the concomitant presence of periodontopathogens in untreated adult periodontitis (AP). GCF and subgingival plaque were sampled by paper strips and paper points respectively, from various periodontal sites in 16 AP subjects. Granulocyte elastase activity in GCF was analyzed with a low molecular weight substrate specific for granulocyte elastase, pGluProVal-pNA, and the maximal rate of elastase activity (MR-EA, mAbs/min/site) was calculated. PGE2 levels in GCF were determined by radioimmunoassay. 5 species-specific DNA probes were used to detect the presence of A. actinomyceterncomitans (A.a., ATCC 43718), B. forsythus (B.f, ATCC 43037), P. gingivalis (P.g., ATCC 33277), P. intermedia (P.i., ATCC 33563), and T. denticola (T.d., ATCC 35405), with a sensitivity of 10(3) cells/paper point. No A.a. was detectable from all sites sampled. The predominant combination of species detected was B.f., P.g., P.i. & T.d. and it was significantly higher at periodontitis sites (68%) than at healthy (7%) or gingivitis sites (29%) (p<0.05). Overall, MR-EA values were strongly correlated with PGE2 levels (r=0.655, p<0.001), especially at these periodontitis sites co-infected by B.f., P.g., P.i. & T.d. (r=0.722, p<0.001). The periodontitis sites co-infected by the 4 species were observable from 15 subjects. These sites were sub-grouped into 8 subjects with a high MR-EA and 7 subjects with a low MR-EA. The PGE2 levels in the high MR-EA group were significantly higher than in the low MR-EA group (p<0.05). No significant differences in clinical or bacterial data were found between the two groups. While within the high MR-EA group, similar results were found between the paired periodontitis sites in each subject with highest and lowest MR-EA values. This study shows that the local host response to bacterial challenge in untreated periodontal pockets is diverse in terms of the intensity of inflammatory response measured by granulocyte elastase and PGE2 levels in GCE A more thorough evaluation of the risk for active periodontal disease may involve the combined approaches to the test of the dynamic bacteria-host relations.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Neutrophil elastase activity, levels of prostaglandin E2, and matrix metalloproteinase-8 in refractory periodontitis sites in smokers and non-smokers.

The study was aimed to determine elastase activity, levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in 20 smokers and 20 non-smokers, mean age 47.4 (+/-2.9 SD) years with refractory periodontal diseases. GCF was collected with intracrevicular washing from four sites in each subject. Clinical assessments, included gingival index, probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, bone height, and plaque accumulation. Smokers had a significantly higher percentage of the gingival margin covered by plaque (P%Im), higher number of sites with probing pocket depth > or = 5 mm, higher mean values of probing pocket depth and probing attachment level (P< 0.01). Smokers had significantly higher mean levels of neutrophil elastase activity (P< 0.01) in the supernatants than non-smokers did. In sites with matching pocket depths, neutrophil elastase activity was significantly higher in smokers (P< 0.001) than in non-smokers. In sites with high levels of MMP-8 the PGE2 levels were significantly (P< 0.001) higher compared to sites with low levels in smokers as well as in non-smokers. A significant correlation was found between probing pocket depth and levels of MMP-8 (P< 0.001) and in non-smokers between probing pocket depth and levels of PGE2 (P< 0.05).

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1999

Longitudinal effect of non-surgical treatment and systemic metronidazole for 1 week in smokers and non-smokers with refractory periodontitis: a 5-year study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis consists of a mixture of diseases, most of which respond favorably to traditional mechanical therapy. It is now recognized that advanced periodontitis does not always respond to conventional management with scaling, periodontal surgery, and oral hygiene measures. However, various types of antibiotics given systemically or locally improve the success rate of periodontal therapy. In short-term studies, it has been shown that metronidazole, when systemically administered after debridement, resulted in treatment benefits including less need for surgical intervention. METHODS: In this double-blind study, we evaluated periodontal treatment involving initial non-surgical treatment, systemic administration of metronidazole for 1 week, and then follow-ups for scaling and root planing every 6 months, for 5 years. The study population consisted of 64 subjects (37 smokers and 27 non-smokers), mean age 36.3 (+/-3.0 SD) years, with severe periodontal disease. After initial scaling and root planing, patients were randomly assigned to the intervention or placebo groups: 400 mg metronidazole or a placebo administered at 8-hour intervals for 1 week. The participants underwent an extensive clinical periodontal examination. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was analyzed for spirochetes and granulocytes. Samples were cultured for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg.), and Prevotella intermedia (Pi.). RESULTS: The number of patients infected with A.a., Pg., Pi., and spirochetes decreased during the study. Most patients who harbored spirochetes at the end of the study had these microorganisms at the beginning. Smokers responded less favorably to periodontal therapy than non-smokers. Non-smoking patients who required only non-surgical therapy in the intervention group showed statistically significant improvement in the clinical parameters after 5 years. Patients with complete healing, defined as the absence of inflamed sites > or =5 mm, after 5 years were found only in the intervention group. The patients considered healthy after 5 years were the same patients found to be healthy after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Decisive factors in the sustained long-term improvement of patients who respond satisfactorily to treatment are probably initial scaling and root planing; a brief course of metronidazole; and regular follow-up examinations at 6-month intervals for oral hygiene and scaling and root planing.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Development of plaque and gingivitis after mouthrinsing with 0.2% delmopinol hydrochloride.

A double-blind, randomized, 2-wk experimental gingivitis clinical trial with cross-over design in 14 dental students was conducted in order to study the efficacy and safety of delmopinol hydrochloride solution (2 mg/ml), used with no other oral hygiene procedures, in comparison with placebo. Plaque formation was measured by the Quigley & Hein Plaque Index and gingivitis was assessed by bleeding on probing according to Mühlemann & Son. Rinsing with delmopinol resulted in lower plaque scores compared to placebo. The development of gingivitis was weak during the 2-wk test periods, and thus no conclusive results were obtained. As in previous studies, the most frequent adverse event when rinsing with delmopinol was a transient anaesthetic sensation in the oral mucosa. The results showed that rinsing with delmopinol hydrochloride solution (2 mg/ml) for 60 s twice daily with no other oral hygiene procedures led to less plaque formation than rinsing with placebo. This study also showed good tolerance and acceptability of mouthrinsing with delmopinol.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Variations in crevicular fluid elastase levels in periodontitis patients on long-term maintenance.

Granulocyte elastase was determined in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of 18 periodontitis patients. They initially had similar severity of disease but had responded differently to 5-yr maintenance, 13 responders and 5 non-responders. A total of 102 sites were investigated and categorized as: i) consistently healthy, ii) healthy after treatment, iii) gingivitis, and iv) periodontitis, according to clinical criteria. GCF elastase activity was determined with a granulocyte-specific substrate. The sites from non-responders had consistently higher elastase levels than the corresponding category of sites from responders, despite similar gingival inflammation and periodontal destruction, with the exception of consistently healthy sites. Within the non-responders, the periodontitis sites had higher elastase levels than the gingivitis sites commensurate with probing depth, while no difference existed between gingivitis sites and sites healthy after treatment, despite a difference in probing depth. In contrast, in the responders similar elastase levels were found at the periodontitis sites and gingivitis sites despite difference in probing depth, while both diseased sites had higher elastase levels than the sites healthy after treatment, commensurate with probing depth. This study suggests that increased granulocyte-specific elastase levels in GCF may serve as a diagnostic marker for refractory periodontitis patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A longitudinal investigation of the individual consistency of plaque levels in adults.

The present investigation was designed to determine the individual variation of plaque levels in adults over a period of 3 months. The participants were 20 healthy subjects, 11 men and 9 women, with a mean age of 42.3 +/- 7.3(SD) years. Plaque area was determined with a computerized image analysis system and expressed as percentage of tooth area (P% Index). The scoring procedures were carried out three times (tests 1, 2, and 3) at an interval of 4 weeks. After each test all plaque was removed. All subjects were instructed to maintain their personal oral hygiene habits during the study. The results showed no significant differences for the means of P% Index between tests 1, 2, and 3 in the whole mouth, upper and lower jaws, right and left sides, or each tooth surface. The intraindividual plaque levels for individual tooth surfaces were closely correlated between tests 1, 2 and 3. The intraindividual plaque level was consistent in tests 1, 2, and 3 with standard deviations within subjects ranging from 1.1% to 6.2%. This study suggests that individual plaque levels seem to be consistent on the basis of tooth surface over a certain period of time. Individual plaque control should be more directed towards tooth surfaces with comparably high plaque accumulation within the mouth for significant reduction of the overall plaque levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Clinical characteristics of destructive periodontitis in a risk group of Swedish urban adults.

An initial screening investigation of 1681 Swedish urban adults aged 31-40 years with untreated periodontitis showed that 17.2% (289) had at least one site with probing depth > or = 5 mm. The 289 subjects were offered a complete clinical examination and treatment. 144 subjects, 85 men and 59 women, agreed to participate and 145 were non-responding subjects and used as a drop out sample. The results from the screening data showed that the attendants had poorer oral hygiene status and more severe periodontitis than the drop out subjects. The present report describes clinical data of this representative sample with adult periodontitis. Clinical indices were recorded and bone height (BH%) for all teeth was measured with a computer digitizing system. In the 144 attendants, Plaque Index was > 1 in 56.2%, Calculus Index was > 1 in 57.0%, Gingival Index was > 1 in 97.2% and bleeding on probing was found in 89.1% of the sites. 11.1% of the subjects had 1-3 teeth with probing depth > or = 5 mm, 59.0% 4-10 teeth, 25.7% 11-20 teeth and 4.2% > 20 teeth. 47.9% of the subjects had mean BH% less than 80. 45.1% of the subjects had at least one site with an intrabony defect, of which 20% had 3-4 sites and 27.7% > or = 5 sites. It is concluded that advanced generalized periodontitis exists in a limited number of 31-40 year-olds in Sweden. Specific risk factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Periodontal status in an urban adult population in Sweden.

The purpose was to describe the current periodontal status in a Swedish urban population aged 31-40 yr. 1681 individuals, 840 men and 841 women, participated in the study. 68.5% of the subjects had low amount of plaque, 82.8% low level of calculus and 28.9% healthy gingiva or mild gingivitis. 82.8% of the subjects had no pockets with probing depth (PD) > or = 5 mm. 4.9% of the subjects had one tooth with PD > or = 5 mm, 6.7% 2-5 teeth, 2.4% 6-9 teeth and 3.2% > or = 10 teeth with pockets. 55.8% of the subjects had no missing teeth, third molars excluded. 16.5% had one tooth missing, 23.8% 2-5 teeth, 2.7% 6-9 teeth and 1.2% > or = 10 teeth. 8.6% of the subjects had at least one front tooth missing, 28.7% one premolar and 24.1% one molar missing. Men had significantly higher scores than women for plaque (DI-S), calculus (CI-S), gingivitis (GI-M), and number and percent of remaining teeth with PD > or = 5 mm. Smokers had significantly higher scores than non-smokers for DI-S, CI-S, GI-M, number and percent of remaining teeth with PD > or = 5 mm, and number of missing teeth. The individuals who visited the dentist every year had better oral hygiene and gingival status than those who attended for > 3 yr. The multiple regression analysis showed that calculus (P = 0.0001) smoking (P = 0.001), and dental visits (P = 0.0284) were significantly correlated to the number of teeth with PD > or = 5 mm.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

DNA probe detection of periodontopathogens in advanced periodontitis.

Species-specific DNA probes were used to determine the presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.), Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, Eikenella corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Wolinella recta in subgingival plaque from deep pockets/sites of patients with advanced periodontitis. The subjects were 20 patients with severe adult periodontitis, 13 men and 7 women (mean age 45.6 +/- 6.7 yr). For each subject, 9-10 subgingival sites with the deepest probing depths from each quadrant were sampled by the paper point method, a total of 198 sites, with mean probing depth 7.2 +/- 1.6 mm and clinical attachment level 9.5 +/- 2.7 mm. A.a. was present in at least one site in 75% of the subjects; P. gingivalis was found in 95%; P. intermedia and W. recta were found in 90%, respectively; and T. denticola, E. corrodens, and F. nucleatum were found in all subjects. In the 198 samples, A.a. was detected in 25.8%, P. gingivalis in 51.5%, P. intermedia in 64.1%, T. denticola in 60.6%, E. corrodens in 72.9%, F. nucleatum in 74.7%, and W. recta in 65.7%. The predominant combination was the simultaneous presence of P. intermedia, T. denticola, E. corrodens, F. nucleatum, and W. recta in 89.5% of the subjects and 46.8% of the sites. Of these sites, 51.1% showed the combined presence of P. gingivalis and 28.4% that of both A.a. and P. gingivalis. None of the seven bacteria could be detected in 14.4% of the total sites sampled. The present study indicates that severe destructive adult periodontitis is a multibacterial infection and that certain combinations of periodontopathogens seem to be important in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Computerized planimetric method for clinical plaque measurement.

A computerized planimetric method for plaque area measurement has been developed. Using a computerized image analysis system (CIAS), the plaque area and tooth area on color slides were digitized and the number of pixels automatically counted. The proposed Plaque Percent Index (P% Index) expresses plaque area as a percentage of tooth area. The reproducibility of this method was tested and the influence of photographic technique on the P% Index was determined. The association of the Turesky modified Quigley-Hein plaque index (Q-H Index) and the P% Index was assessed. The present method was highly reproducible for the P% Index with an intraexaminer variation of 0.28% and intraexaminer correlation coefficient of 0.99. The results show that highly reproducible P% Index values with an error of less than 3.0% were obtained when the photographs were taken under the following conditions. For the buccal surfaces of anterior teeth, the slides were photographed within a 20-degree range in the horizontal plane and a 30-degree range in the vertical plane; and for the lingual/palatal surfaces of anterior teeth and the buccal or lingual/palatal surfaces of posterior teeth, the slides were photographed with an image of the whole tooth surfaces in the photographic mirrors. The comparison of the Q-H Index and the P% Index revealed that for each score of the Q-H Index the corresponding values of P% Index were wide with a significant crossover value, although a strongly positive correlation was found between the Q-H Index and the P% Index (r = 0.92, P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Spirochaetes and granulocytes at sites involved in periodontal disease.

Eighty-six men and 63 women with periodontitis participated in this investigation, at the start of which clinical indices were recorded and the pocket contents from one periodontally involved site for each patient were analysed. The numbers of spirochaetes, other motile microorganisms, non-motile filaments, rods or cocci and of granulocytes, monocytes and epithelial cells were determined. After non-surgical treatment 98 patients (P-group) were unsuccessfully and 51 (C-group) were successfully treated. At baseline the P-group had significantly higher numbers of spirochaetes (p = 0.0001) and polymorphonuclear leucocytes (p = 0.0256) than the C-group. The number of rods was statistically higher in the C-group (p = 0.0254). There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to the number of remaining teeth, plaque or calculus scores. Significantly higher values were found in the P-group for bleeding on probing (p = 0.0434), number of pockets greater than or equal to 5 mm (p = 0.0001), mean pocket depths (p = 0.0001), percentage bone loss per site (p = 0.0001) and the number of sites with greater than or equal to 20% bone loss on radiographs (p = 0.0001).

Bacteria↗
PubMed1990

The effect of systemic metronidazole after non-surgical treatment in moderate and advanced periodontitis in young adults.

The effect of adjunctive systemic metronidazole was studied in patients with moderate and advanced periodontitis recalcitrant to comprehensive non-surgical treatment. The material originated from a randomly selected part of the population aged 31 to 40 years. After non-surgical treatment of 149 patients, 98 with persisting pathological pockets greater than or equal to 5 mm (52 men and 46 women) became the subjects for the study. Clinical parameters were registered and pocket contents subjected to laboratory analysis. The subjects were randomized into two groups according to a code list known only by the manufacturer and the statistician. The test group took three 400 mg metronidazole tablets daily for 1 week and the control group took placebo tablets. Reassessment 6 months later showed statistically significant clinical improvement, with a reduction in the number of sites greater than or equal to 5 mm in both test and control groups. Complete healing, with no pockets greater than or equal to 5 mm, was noted in 30% of the test group and 9% of the control group. The difference is statistically significant and shows the supplementary effect of adjunctive metronidazole in non-surgical treatment of moderate and advanced periodontitis.

Adult↗