"Clinical Efficacy of 1% Alendronate Gel as Local Drug Delivery System in the Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis - A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial"

Author(s): Pradeep AR, Sharma A

Affiliation(s): Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bangalore-560002, Karnataka, INDIA.

Publication date & source: 2011-05-04, J Periodontol., [Epub ahead of print]

Background: Alendronate (ALN), an aminobisphosphonate, is known to inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption and proposed to have osteostimulative properties too both in vivo and in vitro, as shown by increase in matrix formation. The present study aimed to explore the efficacy of 1% ALN gel as local drug delivery system in adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) for the treatment of intrabony defects in chronic periodontitis subjects comparison with placebo gel. Material and Methods: 66 intrabony defects were treated either with 1% ALN gel or placebo gel. ALN gel was prepared by adding ALN into carbopol-distilled water mixture. Clinical parameters [Modified sulcus bleeding index, Plaque index, probing depth (PD) and periodontal attachment level (PAL)] were recorded at baseline, 2 month and 6 month while radiographic parameters were recorded at baseline and 6 month. Defect fill at baseline and at 6 month was calculated on standardized radiographs by using the image analysis software. Results: Mean PD reduction and mean PAL gain was found to greater in ALN group than placebo group, both at 2 month and at 6 month. Furthermore, significantly greater mean percentage of bone fill was found in the ALN group (40.4 +/- 11.71 %) compared to placebo group (2.5 +/- 1.02 %). Conclusions: The results of the present study showed local delivery of 1% ALN into periodontal pocket stimulated a significant increase in the PD reduction, PAL gain, and improved bone fill as compared to placebo gel an adjunct to SRP. This can provide a new direction in the field of periodontal healing.