[The effect of a formaldehyde-tyrothricin combination placed in periodontal pockets in association with scaling and root planing].

A solution of formaldehyde and tyrothricin was placed in periodontal pockets of 14 patients. One maxillary quadrant was used as the experimental side, while the contralateral quadrant was employed as the control. A placebo solution was placed in the pockets of the control side. Both the experimental and control sides were treated on days -3, 0, +4, +7, +11 and +14. Scaling and root planing was accomplished on day 0. Plaque and gingival indices, and gingival fluid volume were recorded on all of the treatment days, as well as on day +28. Pocket depths were noted on days -3, 0, +14 and +28. Improvements were noted in all parameters measured on both the experimental and control sides, although statistical analyses revealed that plaque and gingival indices were slightly better in the experimental side. The author concludes that placing a Formaldehyde-Tyrothricin solution in periodontal pockets offers some therapeutic gain over scaling and root planing alone.