Clinical Study Finds that PerioChip is an Effective and Safe Treatment Option for the Long-Term Management of Chronic Periodontitis

EDISON, N.J. -- A recent study has shown that the long-term use of PerioChip as an adjunct to a routine periodontal maintenance program in patients with periodontal disease is both safe and effective.

Routine periodontal maintenance is a therapeutic option among dentists where periodontal patients are monitored and treated on a regular interval, typically every three months. However, past research has shown that periodontal pockets can be maintained, which is considered stable; but typically do not improve over time.

The study, published in the April 2003 issue of the Journal of Periodontology, evaluated the efficacy of controlled-release delivery of chlorhexidine gluconate, (PerioChip by Dexcel Pharma), and showed a continual decrease in pocket depth over a 24-month period in patients who were seen every three months as a part of a routine periodontal maintenance program.

Periodontal disease is initiated by specific bacteria within the gingival tissues. PerioChip is a small biodegradable chip containing chlorhexidine gluconate, which is the gold-standard, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. PerioChip is easily inserted into the periodontal pocket around the tooth. It dissolves naturally in the pocket over seven to 10 days, killing all bacteria and inhibiting the proliferation of perio-pathogenic bacteria for an extended period of time. Patients can eat, drink, and brush their teeth as usual after treatment.

During this study, led by Dr. Aubrey Soskolne, 835 patients in private dental practices had periodontal pockets greater than or equal to 5 mm treated with PerioChip in conjunction with their routine periodontal maintenance visits. At the end of the 24-month study, 73 percent of sites improved, 58.9 percent of sites had been reduced to pocket depths of < 5mm and only 2.9% of sites had increased by greater than or equal to 2mm. Adverse events were mild to moderate in nature and resolved spontaneously without medication. Therefore, this study supports PerioChip as a safe and effective adjunct in long-term management of periodontal patients.

Source: Dexcel Pharma, Inc.