Effect of scaling and root planing with and without minocycline HCl microspheres on periodontal pathogens and clinical outcomes: A randomized clinical trial

AbstractBackgroundThis study tests the effects of scaling and root planing (SRP) versus SRP plus minocycline hydrochloride microspheres (SRP+MM) on 11 periodontal pathogens and clinical outcomes in Stage II‐IV Grade B periodontitis participants.MethodsSeventy participants were randomized to receive SRP (n = 35) or SRP+MM (n = 35). Saliva and clinical outcomes were collected for both groups at baseline before SRP, 1‐month reevaluation, and at 3‐ and 6‐month periodontal recall. MM were delivered to pockets ≥5 mm immediately after SRP and immediately after the 3‐month periodontal maintenance in the SRP+MM group. A proprietary saliva test* was utilized to quantitate 11 putative periodontal pathogens. Microorganisms and clinical outcomes were compared between groups using generalized linear mixed‐effects models with fixed effects and random effects terms. Mean changes from baseline were compared between groups via group‐by‐visit interaction tests.ResultsSignificant reduction in Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Parvimonas micra, and Eikenella corrodens were identified at the 1‐month reevaluation after SRP+MM. Six months after SRP with a re‐application of MM 3 months after SRP, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Campylobacter rectus, and Eikenella corrodens were significantly reduced. SRP+MM participants had significant clinical outcome reductions in pockets ≥5 mm at the reevaluation, 3‐ and 6‐month periodontal maintenance, and clinical attachment loss gains at the 6‐month periodontal maintenance.ConclusionMM delivered immediately after SRP and reapplication at 3 months appeared to contribute to improved clinical outcomes and sustained decreased numbers of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Campylobacter rectus, and Eikenella corrodens at 6 months.