Periodontitis is an infection of the ligament and bone supporting the
tooth and is caused by the presence of periodontopathogenic species in a
susceptible host, affecting 5% to 20% of the adult population in a
clinically significant manner. Periodontal therapy is based on supra-
and sub-gingival disinfection concomitant with the establishment of an
environment that is less favorable for periodontopathogenic growth.
Though the adequacy of mechanical debridement (scaling and root planing)
in the treatment of periodontitis has been well acknowledged.
Chemo-mechanical concept has been developed where in a chemical agent is
used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing to improve the outcome of
scaling and root planing and furthermore prevent early microbial
re-colonization to ultimately ensure the best chance to clinical
improvement. Therefore a research project was undertaken to evaluate the
efficacy of Chlorhexidine - Thymol varnish (chemical) as an adjunct to
scaling and root planing (mechanical) and compare it's results with
mechanical debridement alone in the eradication of microbial colonies
and improvement of periodontal parameters, which is discussed in depth
in this book.