The effects on chronic periodontitis of a subgingivally-placed redox agent in a slow release device.

What Was Tested

This randomized controlled trial looks at Methylene Blue.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the periodontal treatment potential of subgingival application of the redox agent methylene blue in a slow-release device.

Why It Was Studied

This randomized, single-blind, split-mouth study included 18 patients aged 35-57 years, with chronic adult periodontitis, pocketing of at least 5 mm and radiographic evidence of regular bone loss.

All experimental sites received subgingival debridement at day 0.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 18 patients were involved.

By PubMed's age tags, the people studied were adults and middle-aged adults.

How the Study Was Run

The researchers set it up as a randomized, single-blind and pilot study.

Random assignment meant chance, not the researchers, decided who got Methylene Blue and who got the comparison, which limits bias.

Only one side, usually the patients, was kept unaware of whether Methylene Blue was given.

It is described as a pilot, a small early test of whether a larger Methylene Blue study would be practical.

What Was Measured

Topics PubMed links to this paper include Alveolar Bone Loss, Anti-Infective Agents, Local, Bacteroides, Chronic Disease, Dental Plaque, Drug Implants and Gingiva.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized, single-blind and pilot study of Methylene Blue in 18 patients.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 1995 (Journal of clinical periodontology), a journal based in United States.

More context: the related Methylene blue (non-peptide stack partner) library page, all human trials.