Povidone-iodine Associated With Non-surgical Therapy in Bifurcation Lesions

Objectives: The aim of this randomized single-blind controlled trial was to evaluate the effect of 10% povidone-iodine (PVP-iodine) solution, used as an adjunct to non-surgical therapy, on the treatment of furcation lesions. Methods: Forty-four patients having a minimum of one facial grade II molar furcation lesion with a vertical probing depth ³ 5 mm, which bled when probed. Patients were assigned to receive one of the following treatments: control group – scaling and root planing performed by the use of an ultrasonic device with tap water as the cooling liquid; test group - scaling and root planing performed by the use of an ultrasonic device with 10% PVP-iodine as the cooling liquid. The following clinical parameters were studied: plaque index (PI); bleeding on probing (BOP), position of the gingival margin (PGM), clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD); and horizontal probing depth (HPD). The trypsin-like activity (BAPNA) in subgingival dental plaque was also detected. Subgingival plaque samples and clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Statistical analysis was done with the use of analysis of variance, Chi-square test, Friedman and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: Baseline clinical and biochemical data were similar between the two groups. It was observed that non-surgical periodontal therapy at furcation lesions improved all clinical and biochemical parameters and the results were maintained in the period of the study. Reduction in mean PD at 6 months was 2.30 mm, mean gain in CAL was 1.38 mm and mean reduction in HPD was 1.01 mm. There was no statistical difference between the two groups, but the number of sites that needed re-treatment at 3 months was higher in the control group (p=0.06). Conclusion: PVP-iodine, used as the cooling liquid of an ultra-sonic device, did not improve the outcome of non-surgical periodontal therapy at furcation lesions.