Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
October 2001
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Electronic ISSN:
1754-2758
Vol:
2
Issue:
2

The effect of topical metronidazole therapy and controlled oral hygiene procedures on periodontal disease in patients with Down syndrome – a clinical interventional study

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of topical application of a metronidazole 25 per cent dental gel (Elyzol) with supragingival plaque control on the gingival condition and the subgingival microflora in patients with Down syndrome. Method: Nine patients in the test group and 10 patients in the control group with Down syndrome were examined to assess their clinical health status and the c o m p o s i t i o n of the subgingival flora. Following the initial examination supragingival plaque was professionally removed in both groups, and in the test group metronidazole gel was applied twice into the periodontal pockets. Clinical and microbiological examinations were repeated after 1, 4 and 12 weeks. Results: The findings of the baseline examinations showed that the inflammation of the gingiva was associated with the amount of plaque in both groups. The composition of the subgingival flora was heterogeneous in both groups. During the course of the clinical trial, oral hygiene status and gingival inflammation improved markedly in the test group. The number of sites with bleeding on probing was reduced (60 per cent), whereas the composition and the mean number of putative pathogens remained unchanged in the test group. Conclusions: The results of the clinical trial show that professional removal of supragingival plaque with topical application of a metronidazole 25 per cent dental gel significantly improves the clinical situation in patients with Down syndrome. Key words: Down syndrome, periodontitis, interventional study, metronidazole treatment, supragingival plaque control

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£15.00
Page Start
54
Page End
62
Authors
W-D Grimm, S Klar, P Cichon

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial
  2. 50
  3. 50

  1. The effect of topical metronidazole therapy and controlled oral hygiene procedures on periodontal disease in patients with Down syndrome – a clinical interventional study
  2. 54
  3. 62

  1. Day stay service for special needs patients requiring restorative dentistry – an audit of non attendance
  2. 63
  3. 65

  1. An assessment of appropriate mode of treatment for children with special needs
  2. 66
  3. 70

  1. Development of an undergraduate curriculum in special care dentistry
  2. 71
  3. 77

  1. The oral health and treatment needs of adults with a learning disability living in private households in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, London
  2. 78
  3. 82

  1. Letters to the Editor
  2. 83
  3. 84

  1. BSDH News
  2. 85
  3. 96

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