THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LOCAL ATORVASTATIN IN THE TREATMENT OF MODERATE PERIODONTITIS

Background: Chronic periodontitis is an infectious disease resulting in inflammation within the supporting structures of teeth, loss of attachment and bone resorption. Atorvastatin is a potent synthetic competitive inhibitor of Hydroxy Methyl Glutaryl-Co enzyme A reductase. It has a favourable effect on bone, as well as immunomodulatory effect. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of local Atorvastatin as an adjunct to scaling and root planning in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Subjects and method: Fivteen chronic periodontits patients were involved in this study. Split mouth design was utilized. Clinical parameters (Gingival Index, Plaque Index, Bleeding On Probing, Clinical Attachment Loss, probing Pocket Depth) were recorded at baseline and after eight weeks after treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected at baseline and eight weeks after treatment from both test and control sites, and osteocalcin level was assessed. All patients received scaling and root planning, the test sites only were locally injected with atorvastatin gel. Results: Clinical parameters of test sites showed very highly significant reduction in at p<0.001 versus control sites eight weeks after treatment. Test sites only showed significant reduction in osteocalcin level in gingival crevicular fluid at p=0.005 versus control sites, eight weeks after treatment. Conclusion: Locally applicated Atorvastain adjunctive with scaling and root planning could be effective in treatment of chronic periodontitis.