Background: Periodontal diseases are considered as infections of periodontium with a bacterial etiology, an immune response and subsequent tissue destruction. Putative pathogens associated with periodontal disease are susceptible to a variety of antiseptics and antibiotics. The present study was conducted to assess the tetracycline fibers in the management of periodontal infection. Materials & Methods: The study was conducted in the department of Periodontics in 2012. It included 40 patients of chronic periodontitis. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I (control group)- in which only  scaling and root planing (SRP) was done. Group II (experimental group)- in which along with SRP, tetracycline fibers were used. Both premolars and molars were used for the study. Parameters such as probing depth and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded. The tetracycline fiber marketed as periodontal plus AB is available as vials with tetracycline impregnated collagen fibers. Tetracycline fibers are soaked in saline and packed into the periodontal pockets with a cotton forcep or curette until the pocket is filled upto or slightly below the gingival margin. Patients were instructed not to brush or floss the treated areas to avoid dislodging of the fiber and asked to use 0.2% chlorhexidine rinses twice a day. The including pocket depth were recorded on Day 0, 60 and 90 days in both the groups. Results: In group I, the number of sites with no BOP was 16 at day 30 and with BOP was 14. At day 90, sites with no BOP increased to 22 and sites with BOP decreased to 8. Similarly in group II, the number of sites with no BOP was 24 at day 30 and with BOP was 6. At day 90, sites with no BOP increased to 28 and sites with BOP decreased to 2. There was significantly reduced in bleeding sites in group II as compared to group I (P<0.05). In group I, mean pocket depth at day 30 was4.84 and at day 90 it reduced to 4.14. In group II, mean pocket depth at day 30 was4.24 and at day 90 it reduced to 3.64. There was better reduction in probing depth in group II as compared to group I. Conclusion: Scaling and root planning is important step in prevention of periodontal break down. Local drug delivery is the effective method of controlling periodontitis. Tetracycline found to be beneficial in cases of periodontitis.
Key words: Root planning, Scaling, Tetracycline