The Adjunctive Effect of Topical Application of Metronidazole 15% Gel to Manage of Moderate Distal Pocket on Mandibular Wisdom Teeth Being Treated for Endodontic-periodontal Lesions

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the adjunctive effect of topical application of metronidazole 15% gel to manage of moderate distal pocket on mandibular wisdom teeth being treated for endodontic-periodontal lesions.

Materials and Methods: This study included thirty mandibular wisdom teeth with endodontic-periodontal lesions and moderate distal periodontal pockets in three equal groups (n=10) selected from the outpatient clinics, college of dentistry, King Khalid University. Endodontic periodontal treatment finished in the first visit (1st) of all patients. The group I was considered as a control group (endodontic and periodontal treatment only). The study groups consisted of endodontic and periodontal treatment plus irrigation with normal saline (0.90% w/v of NaCl, 308 mOsm/L) as placebo therapy in group II and the endodontic and periodontal treatment plus metronidazole 15% gel topical application in group III. Plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI) and periodontal pocket depth (PPD) were recorded at baseline as first (1st) visit, 4weeks as a second (2nd) visit and 6 weeks as third (3rd) visit. All data collected and analyzed by Friedman test, the comparisons between the groups of the present study was carried out.

Results: There was decreased in PLI among the patients of group III compared to PLI of group I and II in the 2nd and 3rd visit moreover; there was reduced in GI among the patients of group II and III compared to group I in the 3rd visit only. Concerning PPD, there was decreased in PPD among the patients of group II and III in the 2nd visit only compared to 1st visit.

Conclusion: In the end of the study there were no significant differences in the comparison of all clinical parameters between the patients in the present study at all the study intervals except PPD also there were no significant differences in clinical findings in the comparison of the present study groups in 2nd and 3rd visit of distal pocket therapy except PLI of group II and III.