The effect of clindamycin gel insert in periodontal pockets, as observed on smears and cultures

Abstract

This study is aimed at the evaluation of a 1% clindamycin hydrochloride containing gel on the microbial flora of periodontal pockets deeper than 5 mm. In order to achieve that purpose, 20 patients with pocketing in the premolar-molar regions were selected. Active and placebo gel were inserted once during the first 2 weeks of this experimental study. Microbial samplings were performed 1, 2, 4 and 12 weeks after the experiment started. The samples were submitted to microscopic examination and also to culture. Changes in the microbial content of the periodontal pockets treated by subgingival scaling and clindamycin 1% gel were significant, compared with those obtained with subgingival scaling and placebo gel, particularly with respect to anaerobic black-pigmented bacteria and the motile gram-negative flora. However, after 3 months, most of the treated cases were recolonized by the same initial species, though never at pre-clindamycin levels. In the light of this study, it will be concluded that the use of a small amount of clindamycin hydrochloride inserted into a periodontal pocket, once a week for 2 weeks as a complement to periodontal subgingival scaling, is beneficial in the treatment of adult periodontitis, by eliminating more effectively the microbial pocket colonization.

Antimicrobial efficacy of clindamycin and triple antibiotic paste as root canal medicaments on tubular infection: An in vitro study

“…Some articles recommended clindamycin as a first line drug in the management of odontogenic infections . Clindamycin therapeutic concentration is usually maintained at the site of infection, so it is useful for local infection like adult periodontitis and periapical infection . On the contrary to local application, however systemic usage of clindamycin is associated with some gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis .…”

Non‐Surgical Pocket Therapy: Pharmacotherapeutics

“…Kornman et al 405 have evaluated which clinical and microbial parameters appears to be most influenced by plaque control. Two hundred thirty-six (236) patients were seen in private practice by periodontists and treated for moderate to severe Periodontitis with scaling and root planing and a variety of systemic antibiotics. Selection of the antibiotics was based on microbial and clinical profiles provided for each patient.…”

Canine Periodontal Disease Control Using a Clindamycin Hydrochloride Gel

“…It was demonstrated in human patients that the use of a small amount of 1 % clindamycin hydrochloride gel inserted into periodontal pockets > 5-mm once a week for 2-weeks as a complement to periodontal subgingival scaling was beneficial in the treatment of adult periodontitis by more effectively eliminating the microbial colonization of the pocket. 25 While these authors observed recolonization of the pockets after 3-months following treatment, nevertheless, the bacterial burden never exceeded pre-clindamycin levels. 25 A study compared the benefit of combining oral clindamycin hydrochloride with ultrasonic scaling, root planning, and polishing (USRP) over USRP alone in dogs.…”

“…25 While these authors observed recolonization of the pockets after 3-months following treatment, nevertheless, the bacterial burden never exceeded pre-clindamycin levels. 25 A study compared the benefit of combining oral clindamycin hydrochloride with ultrasonic scaling, root planning, and polishing (USRP) over USRP alone in dogs. The authors reported a significantly smaller average pocket depth (15 %) for the clindamycin group compared to the control group (3 %).…”