The effect of locally delivered controlled-release doxycycline or scaling and root planing on periodontal maintenance patients over 9 months

Background: This research report evaluates clinical changes resulting from local delivery of doxycycline hyclate (DH) or traditional scaling and root planing (SRP) in a group of patients undergoing supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). Methods: In all, 141 patients received either DH (67) or SRP (74) treatment in sites ≥5 mm on one-half of their dentition at baseline and month 4. Results: Clinical results were determined at month 9. Baseline mean probing depth recordings were similar between the two groups (DH = 5.9 mm; SRP = 5.9 mm). Mean month 9 results showed similar clinical results for attachment level gain (DH 0.7 mm; SRP 0.8 mm) and probing depth reduction (DH 1.3 mm; SRP 1.1 mm). Percentage of sites showing ≥2 mm attachment level gain at month 9 was 24.7% in the DH group and 21.2% in the SRP group. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of DH sites and 38% of SRP sites showed ≥2 mm probing depth reduction. When treated sides of the dentition were compared to untreated sides, DH showed a difference in disease activity (≥2 mm attachment loss) from 19.3% (untreated) to 7.2% (treated); and SRP from 14.3% (untreated) to 8.1% (treated). Conclusions: Results show that both DH without concomitant mechanical instrumentation and SRP were equally effective as SPT in this patient group over the 9-month study period.