A papaína no tratamento da periodontite crônica

Abstract

Although subgingival scaling and root planing are the gold standard for elective treatment of periodontitis, they are difficult procedures to perform. As well as requiring intensive training, they can expose the dentin, causing dentin hypersensitivity by excessive removal of cement, or produce defects such as ridges and grooves, leaving residual calculus, whilst the whole root surface cannot be reached. A papain- and chloramine-based gel (Papacárie®) has recently been introduced to remove carious dentin. This gel may help in the removal of subgingival calculus with reduced consumption of cement. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a papain- and chloramine-based gel and analyze the root surface in the region associated with subgingival root planing. After receiving oral hygiene instructions, supragingival scaling and coronary polishing, 18 chronic periodontitis patients (6 women and 12 men with a mean age of 51 years ± 8) were treated using a split-mouth model. The test treatment was established by applying the gel to the subgingival area for 1 minute, followed by root planing; whilst the control treatment was established by subgingival scaling and root planing. The therapy was performed by 3 operators, examinations initially and after 28 days and 3 months being performed by a single examiner. Four previously untreated teeth (2 lower central incisors and 2 premolars) with indication for extraction in two other patients were treated as test and control and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) following extraction. Although over the 3 months the results showed marked improvement in clinical parameters: bleeding on probing, pocket depth and attachment gain on both test and control sides, especially after 28 days; the difference between the two forms of therapy was not found to be statistically significant. The mean plaque index remained high throughout the study. The SEM analysis showed that the test treatment left a larger amount of residual calculus on the root surface, but areas free of calculus were also observed. In the control treatment, deeper areas unaffected by the scaling and root planing, areas free of calculus and a groove produced by the curette were found. It was concluded that both test and control treatments were effective in the treatment of chronic periodontitis observed over 3 months.