Effect Of Calcium Supplementation As An Adjunct To Scaling And Root Planing In The Treatment Of Chronic Periodontitis

Background: Periodontal diseases are one of the most common diseases in the oral cavity. It has long been recognized that patients in periodontal maintenance programs taking calcium supplementation had better periodontal health compared to patients not taking supplementation. Aim: To evaluate the effect of calcium supplementation as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: The study was performed as a randomised controlled trial. A total of 22 patients were selected randomly, comprising two groups, 11 in each, with generalised chronic periodontitis. Both the groups underwent scaling and root planing. The first group was asked to take a placebo and the second group was advised calcium supplements for 3 weeks. The pocket depth and gingival index scores were calculated after scaling and root planing (baseline) . Then subsequently after 3 weeks, the pocket depth and gingival index were re assessed. Data was analyzed using SPSS software, Version 23. Unpaired t-test was done to compare the difference in pocket depth and gingival index between the two groups.