Effects of Dentifrice Containing 2% Atorvastatin and Oral Ascorbic Acid in Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis

Background and purpose: Ascorbic acid is an important antioxidant and its depletion is a risk factor for periodontal diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 2% atorvastatin dentifrice and ascorbic acid on improving clinical periodontal parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods: This clinical trial included 72 patients with moderate and severe chronic periodontitis attending periodontology department in Yazd Dental School, Iran. They were randomly divided into four groups (n=18 per group). Group 1 was the control group that used 0.2% fluoride dentifrice after Scaling and Root Planing (SRP). Group 2 used 0.2% flouride dentifrice + adjunctive use of atorvastatin 2% following SRP. Group 3 used 0.2% fluoride dentifrice and 250mg chewable ascorbic acid tablet after SRP. Group 4 used 0.2% fluoride dentifrice + adjunctive use of atorvastatin 2% and 250mg chewable ascorbic acid after SRP. Periodontal parameters including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and modified gingival index (MGI) were measured at baseline and one month after treatment. Data were analyzed in SPSS V17 applying Chi square, ANOVA, and Tukey test. Results: After one month, significant decreases were seen in CAL (P= 0.0001) and MGI (P= 0.029). In groups 2 and 4, the decrease in CAL was significantly higher than the control group (P= 0.0001) and in comparison between case groups there were significant differences between groups 3 and 4 (P= 0.0001). In group 3, significant decrease was seen in MGI compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Combination treatment with SRP, 2% atorvastatin dentifrice and ascorbic acid is more effective in improving periodontal parameters than SRP alone.   (Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT20171015036782N5)