Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy of Biodegradable Chip Containing Salvadora persica Extract in Chitosan Base as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planning in the Management of Periodontitis

Objective: The objectives of this study were to develop two biodegradable periodontal chips containing Salvadora persica or Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) extract and evaluate its clinical effectiveness in managing periodontitis. Methods: Chips were formulated from Salvadora persica, Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and chitosan; twelve patients with periodontal pockets measuring ≥5 mm participated in this study. Overall, 240 periodontal pockets were evaluated. All patients were treated with full mouth scaling and root planning (SRP) at baseline. Periodontal pockets were divided into four groups. One of which is the control group, while group two received plain chitosan chip. Group three received chips containing Salvadora persica extract, and group four received chips containing BITC. Plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal probing pocket (PPD) depth, and clinical attachment levels (CAL) using acrylic stents were recorded at days 0 and 60 only. Results: Data were statistically analysed; Chi-square t-test and an ANOVA were used. Results showed significant improvement in plaque index, bleeding on probing, and reduction in periodontal pocket depth in all four groups (p<0.05). The gain in clinical attachment level was significantly higher (p<0.005) among the group receiving Salvadora persica chips compared to the control and other chip-treated groups. Conclusion: Periodontal chips containing S. persica can be used as adjuncts to treat patients with periodontitis. Keywords: Chitosan; Periodontal chip; Miswak extract; Benzyl isothiocyanate; Periodontitis.