Periodontal Maintenance Following Scaling and Root Planing. A Randomized Single-Center Study Comparing Minocycline Treatment and Daily Oral Irrigation with Water

Objective

Assess the efficacy of daily Waterpik^™ water flossing in comparison to subgingival minocycline treatment for subjects with moderate to severe periodontitis.

Methodology

In this single-center, parallel, single blind, randomized clinical study, thirty subjects with moderate to severe periodontitis were placed into a minocycline-treated group or a water flossing group. Scaling and root planing was carried out, and both groups received instruction on proper home-based oral hygiene. One group was administered minocycline inside their deepest periodontal pockets at the initial hygiene visit. The second group was instructed to use a Waterpik^™ water flosser once a day. Clinical and microbiological parameters were measured at baseline and repeated after thirty days.

Results

Both the Waterpik^™ water flosser and minocycline treatment groups experienced a significant reduction in all clinical parameters tested at thirty days. The water flosser group reduced bleeding 81% vs. 76% for the minocycline group. Moreover, both procedures effectively reduced the typical parameters of periodontitis (bleeding on probing, pocket depth, and clinical attachment levels).

Conclusion

The Waterpik^™water flosser is an effective alternative to subgingival antibiotics for periodontal maintenance patients over a thirty day period.