Subgingival minocycline hydrochloride ointment in
moderate to severe chronic adult periodontitis: a randomized, double-blind,
vehicle-controlled, multicenter study.
van Steenberghe D, Bercy P, Kohl J, De Boever J, Adriaens P,
Vanderfaeillie A, Adriaenssen C, Rompen E, De Vree H, McCarthy EF, et al.
Catholic University Leuven, Belgium.
The safety and efficacy of subgingivally-applied 2% minocycline ointment was
evaluated in a randomized, double-blind study of 103 adults with moderate to
severe periodontitis. Two groups were compared; one received the test
minocycline ointment and the other a vehicle control. Both groups had
scaling and root planing at baseline, after which the test or control
ointments were applied with an applicator into the periodontal pockets at
baseline, and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Assessment of clinical response was made
by measuring probing depth and probing attachment level and gingival
bleeding. These measurements were made at baseline prior to scaling and root
planing, and at weeks 4 and 12. Microbiological assessment of the
subgingival flora was carried out with DNA probes at baseline, and at weeks
2, 4, 6, and 12 to identify and quantify Porphyromonas gingivalis,
Prevotella intermedia, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Subgingival
minocycline ointment resulted in statistically significantly greater
reduction of P. gingivalis at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 12; P. intermedia at weeks
2, 4, 6, and 12; and A. actinomycetemcomitans at weeks 6 and 12. Probing
depth reductions were seen for both groups at weeks 4 and 12; however, this
reduction was statistically significantly greater in subjects treated with
minocycline ointment. Reduction in gingival index and probing attachment
gain were seen in both groups, however, the differences between the groups
were not statistically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)