Evaluation of the reactive oxygen metabolite levels in plasma, gingival crevicular fluid, and saliva in generalized chronic periodontitis patients before and after nonsurgical periodontal therapy: A case-control and interventional study

Reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) produced in periodontitis could contribute to excessive tissue damage. Thus, treatment of chronic periodontitis may decrease the ROM levels. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ROM levels in plasma, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) patients before and after nonsurgical periodontal treatment. Two groups were included in this study. Group I consisted of 30 healthy controls (C) and Group II consisted of 30 subjects with GCP. Plaque index (PI), papillary bleeding index, Probing Depth (PD), and clinical attachment level were recorded. GCF, saliva, and plasma samples were collected from both groups. ROM levels were assessed. A baseline comparison was made between the two groups. Nonsurgical periodontal treatment was carried out for Group II subjects. Two months posttreatment, the clinical parameters and ROM levels in GCF, saliva, and plasma were reassessed in Group II, and the data were compared with their baseline values. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20 software and results were derived. Two months posttreatment, Group II exhibited significant reduction in ROM levels in plasma, saliva, and GCF with significant decrease in PI, bleeding on probing, probing depth, and attachment loss. Thus, significant oxidative stress may occur in chronic periodontitis and nonsurgical periodontal therapy may be regarded as an effective treatment modality to treat the diseased periodontium, thereby preventing possible systemic diseases in future.