Locally delivered 1% metformin gel in the treatment of smokers with chronic periodontitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Metformin (MF) (1,1-dimethylbiguanide HCl) is one of the most commonly used oral antihyperglycemic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recently, MF has been shown to have bone-sparing properties. The present study is designed to investigate the effectiveness of MF 1% in an indigenously prepared, biodegradable, controlled-release gel, as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in treatment of vertical defects in smokers with generalized chronic periodontitis (CP).

Methods: Fifty patients were categorized into two treatment groups: SRP plus 1% MF and SRP plus placebo. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and at 3 and 6 months; they included plaque index (PI), modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). At baseline and after 6 months, intrabony defect (IBD) fill was radiologically assessed using computer software.

Results: Mean PD reduction and mean CAL gain were found to be greater in the MF group than the placebo group at all visits. Furthermore, a significantly greater mean percentage of bone fill was found in the MF group (26.17% ± 6.66%) than the placebo sites (3.75% ± 8.06%) (P <0.001).

Conclusion: There was greater decrease in mSBI and PD and more CAL gain with significant IBD fill at vertical defect sites treated with SRP plus locally delivered MF, versus SRP plus placebo, in smokers with generalized CP.