TO EVALUATE AND COMPARE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ADVANCED PLATELET-RICH FIBRIN (A-PRF) COMBINED WITH 1% METRONIDAZOLE GEL VERSUS A-PRF ALONE IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS OVER A 12-WEEK PERIOD

Abstract

Aim To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) combined with 1% metronidazole gel versus A-PRF alone in the treatment of chronic periodontitis over a 12-week period.
Introduction Periodontitis is a prevalent inflammatory condition characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissues, largely driven by microbial infection. Regenerative therapies such as advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) have shown promising outcomes due to their ability to promote healing and tissue regeneration. Metronidazole, a widely used antimicrobial agent, has demonstrated efficacy in targeting anaerobic pathogens involved in periodontitis. This study investigates the potential synergistic effect of combining A-PRF with 1% metronidazole gel to enhance clinical outcomes in patients with chronic periodontitis.
Objective To assess and compare the clinical efficacy of A-PRF in combination with 1% metronidazole gel versus A-PRF alone in reducing plaque, gingival inflammation, probing pocket depth, and improving clinical attachment levels in chronic periodontitis patients.
Methodology This 12-week randomized clinical trial included 60 periodontal sites from patients aged between 30 to 65 years, randomly allocated into two groups.
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Group A: Received A-PRF combined with 1% metronidazole gel
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Group B: Received A-PRF alone
Clinical parameters including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) were recorded at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate intra- and intergroup differences.
Results Both groups exhibited statistically significant improvements in all clinical parameters over the 12-week period. However, Group A showed significantly greater reductions in PI, PPD, and CAL compared to Group B at 12 weeks (p < 0.001). Although GI improved significantly within both groups, the intergroup difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion The combination of A-PRF and 1% metronidazole gel provides enhanced therapeutic benefits in the management of chronic periodontitis compared to A-PRF alone. This dual-action approach not only reduces the microbial load effectively but also supports tissue regeneration. Further clinical studies with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods are recommended to validate and extend these findings.