Tetracycline: a clinical study to determine its effectiveness as long-term adjuvant.

A random double blind crossover study of patients on the effects of tetracycline therapy over a 3-month period revealed that there were no significant differences between the placebo group and tetracycline-treated groups in relation to (1) Gingival Index, (2) Debris Index and (3) Papillary Bleeding. A marked improvement in the Gingival Index occurred after 3 months of treatment in each group resulting from curettage and home care. Papillary bleeding was significantly reduced after 3 months of treatment in the tetracycline group and similar trends were observed in the placebo group. The Debris Index in both experimental and placebo groups showed no significant change after treatment for 3 months. The data suggest that tetracycline therapy does not appreciably after either the Gingival Index, Debris Index, or the Papillary Bleeding Index over a 3-month period.