Evaluation of multiple subgingival irrigations with 10% povidone-iodine after scaling and root planing: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives: This 6-month randomized controlled study aimed at evaluating the clinical outcomes of multiple irrigations of 10% povidone-iodine (PVP-I) as an adjunct to full-mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Method and materials: Seventeen patients were included. A split-mouth design randomly assigned one side as the test side (SRP + PVP-I) and the other side as the control side (SRP + NaCl). After full-mouth SRP, the control side received subgingival irrigation with 10 mL 0.9% NaCl solution. The test side received 10 mL of PVP-I 10%. Plaque Index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) parameters were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. During recall visits (3 and 6 months), residual deep periodontal pockets of >= 6mm were cleaned with the same protocol and randomization. Results: PI, BOP, PPD, and CAL were improved in both sides after 6 months. No significant differences were seen between control and test sides for the all clinical parameters after 6 months. Conclusion: Multiple subgingival irrigations of 10% PVP-I or 0/9% NaCl combined to one-stage full mouth SRP in patients with chronic periodontitis showed a reduction of all clinical parameters until 6months. There was a trend in favor of the povidone group for PPD.