Abstract
Background: Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues. This disease
occurs due to accumulation of subgingival microbial biofilm resulting in pocket formation and bone
loss. Because of bacterial invasion, therapeutic role of antibiotics is an important part of periodontitis
treatment. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of adjunctive azithromycin therapy in
nonsurgical treatment of moderate to severe chronic periodontitis.
Methods: In this double blind placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, 40 patients with moderate
to severe chronic periodontitis were randomly divided into 2 groups. After full-mouth scaling and root
planing (SRP), azithromycin 500 mg was given once a day from the first day of SRP in the SRP group
and the control group were given placebo tablets. Gingival index (GI), plaque index, probing depth
(PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were evaluated at baseline and 2 weeks, one month and 3
months later. T test and Mann-Whitney test were used to do data analysis.
Results: Azithromycin had no effect on plaque index. Statistically significant effects could be seen on
gingival index at first week, Clinical attachment loss at 2 weeks and probing depth at 1 month.
Conclusions: Azithromycin may have positive therapeutic effects and can be used as adjunctive therapy
in nonsurgical treatment of moderate to severe periodontitis.