Bacteriological and clinical follow-up of periodontal pockets during a topically applied 1% metronidazole-gel therapy in patients with adult periodontitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and bacteriological effe cts of the intrasulcular application of a 1% metronidazole-gel (repeated ad ministrations outdistanced of 7 days weeks long) currently employed in derm atological practice, to observe if a lower concentration of the chemotherap ic agent could be equally effective as the 25% formulation in improving the periodontal condition of nine patients with adult periodontitis. The resul ts showed that this regimen can modify, at a statistically significant leve l, the clinical (Pocket Probing Depth, Gingival Bleeding Index and Plaque I ndex) and bacteriological (Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromo nas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Veillonella parvula) parameters a ssociated with adult periodontitis. The results are similar to those obtain able with a 25% Metronidazole-gel administered two times outdistanced by 7 days.