Effects of Periodontal Therapy on Markers of Acute Phase Response (APR), Oxidative Stress: Phase II {Formerly UNC Biomedical IRB Study # DENT-2019}

The design for this study was a single-blinded, delayed treatment, controlled, randomized, clinical trial. A total of 106 subjects, 2 sets of 53 patients each in one of 2 arms, were enrolled. For both groups at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months periodontal measures, gingival crevicular fluid, and plaque were taken using standardized techniques. Blood for serum was collected at each time point, plus at an additional 2 week visit. GCF samples were collected and analyzed for PGE2 and IL-1 to provide a mediator assessment of periodontal status.These GCF data and the clinical changes were used to assure that the therapy provided had resulted in a local therapeutic benefit. These data were primarily useful as it relates to changes in systemic levels of mediators.

Subjects were recruited from the surrounding communities by means of flyer advertisements, as well as media advertisements in weekly newspapers and on the radio. Recruitment focused on subjects between the ages of 18 and 64 years with periodontal disease.

The investigators excluded persons who have less than 20 teeth; who had any serious systemic disease including: auto-immune type disorders (i.e. systemic lupus erythematous), immunosuppression (chronic systemic c steroid use, cancer chemotherapy or HIV infection), chronic liver disease including hepatitis, or diabetes mellitus; extremely obese (BMI <40), are pregnant, or who abuse alcohol or drugs. Subjects were selected from periodontal screening examinations as having 4 or more sites with pocket depths of 5 or more mm and two or more sites with attachment loss of 3 mm or more and who required scaling and root planing.

The Phase II set of 106 patients had periodontal therapy consisting of one of two treatments:

Treatment 1: A 6-week observation period (treatment delay), then full-mouth scaling and root planing plus specific oral hygiene regimen (OHR) (Group 1);