Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of glycine powder air polishing with scaling and root planing and with fluoride prophypaste as an adjunctive to surgical periodontal therapy- A clinical study

Introduction: The use of the glycine powder air-polishing (GPAP) technique may simplify periodic subgingival instrumentation and may be an alternative to the conventional techniques of subgingival biofilm removal. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of glycine powder air polishing as an additional approach to non surgical periodontal therapy in moderate to deep periodontal pockets, with regard to its clinical effectiveness and bactericidal abilities. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 sites with moderate to deep periodontal pockets were included in the study. The subjects were allocated into two groups viz. the test group and the control group randomly using toss of a coin. 10 sites each with moderate to deep periodontal pockets were treated with scaling and root planing + glycine powder air polishing (Test Group) and scaling and root planing + prophyhpaste (Control Group). Clinical parameters such as gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), pocket probing depth were recorded (PPD). Results: In test group PI, GI, PPD significantly reduced after 21 days follow-up compared to baseline. Pocket probing depth reduced from 5-7 mm at baseline to approx. 1-2 mm at 21 days. Similarly, PI, GI, PPD & CAL significantly reduced in control group also after 21 days follow-up compared to baseline. Pocket probing depth reduced from 5-7 mm at baseline to approx. 3-4 mm at 21 days. Conclusion: It is concluded that GPAP, as an additional approach to nonsurgical periodontal treatment, may be beneficial in the short-term improvement of subclinical periodontal inflammation and it was effective in decreasing inflammation, and pocket probig depth in chronic periodontitis patients and can be successfully used as an adjunct to SRP in routine to non-surgical periodontal therapy.