Comparative Evaluation of Metformin Gel and Chlorhexidine Gel as Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planning in the Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis: A Clinical Study

Introduction: Pyorrhoea is an inflammatory gum disease in which destruction of tooth supporting tissues that results ultimate tooth mobility and exfoliation. In local drug delivery (LDD), which includes the delivery of therapeutic agents like Irrigating systems, fibers, gels, strips, films, microparticles, nanoparticles and low dose antimicrobial agents via systemic and local route as an adjunct to mechanical therapy which has beneficial for periodontal therapy. Aim: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of subgingivally delivered 1% Metformin gel and Chlorhexidine gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the management of patients with chronic periodontitis. Materials and Method: Twenty systemically healthy patients with the age group of 20-60 years irrespective of gender suffering from generalized chronic periodontitis were selected, in which fourty sites were randomized at split mouth level and divided into two groups: (Group A -SRP+1% Metformin gel and Group B - SRP+ 0.2% Chlorhexidine gel). Parameters such as, Plaque index (PI), Modified gingival index (MGI), Probing pocket depth (PPD), and Relative clinical attachment level (R-CAL) were measured at baseline and after 1 month and 3 months. The significance of difference within and between the groups was evaluated with paired and unpaired t-tests. Result: In our study, the mean Plaque index (PI), Modified gingival index (MGI), Probing pocket depth (PPD), and Relative clinical attachment level (R-CAL) showed a statistically significant difference from baseline to 1 month and 3 months (p≤0.05) in both Group A and Group B. But, Mean PPD reduction and mean R-CAL gain was found to be greater in Group-A than Group B at 1 month and 3 months. Conclusion: Both Metformin and 0.2% Chlorhexidine gel can be considered as effective as a LDD agent adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) in the management of chronic periodontitis. But, 1% Metformin gel was more effective as a LDD adjunct to SRP in curative of chronic periodontitis patient than Chlorhexidine gel (Cevitec gel).