Effects of statins as local drug delivery agents in treating chronic periodontitis and their antimicrobial effects using polymerase chain reaction

The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of statin medication in chronic periodontitis patients and to compare the change in periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment level using 1.2% atorvastatin (ATV) gel and scaling and root planning (SRP) compared to SRP alone. This study was carried out on a sample size of 40 patients with equal male and female ratio between the age group of 40–60 years having chronic periodontitis with a minimum of 20 teeth that were selected for the study. Bilateral quadrants were selected and a split mouth study was conducted. Supragingival scaling was carried out in each patient in one long appointment. The patient was then recalled after 1 week for subgingival SRP. Root planing was carried out in two consecutive visits. Left side of the mouth on the 1st day followed by right side of the mouth on the next day. On the 2nd day, after completion of the root planning, followed by placement of 1.2% ATV gel and finally the Coe Pak was placed in one quadrant which was called the test site. In the other quadrant which was called control site placebo gel was placed and the treated site was covered by the Coe Pak. The recording of clinical parameters (plaque index [PI], gingival index [GI], probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment loss) was done at baseline, 1 month and 3 months. The selected site was sampled for subgingival microflora. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. One-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD test, and student t-test were used for intergroup and intragroup comparison. In our study, when intergroup comparison of mean value for PI at baseline, 1 month and 3 months was found to clinically insignificant for control and test groups, while for GI, periodontal pocket depth, and clinical attachment level it was found insignificant at baseline while significant at 1 and 3 months. Similarly, when comparison was made for microbial count it was found clinically insignificant between control and test group at baseline, while significant was noted at 3-month interval. Our study evaluated the anti-inflammatory, osteoconductive and antimicrobial effects of atorvastatin giving significant reduction in PI, GI, PPD and gain in CAL along with significant decrease in the microbial load.