EGCG may improve outcome of periodontal non-surgical periodontal treatment: Study

This split-mouth, the randomized clinical trial included 20 patients (2 drop-outs) with chronic periodontitis and the maxillary contra-lateral sides were allocated into test and control groups randomly. Through the new-type scaler tip, 762 sites with probing depth (PD) ≥ 4 mm were treated by SRP using EGCG solution or distilled water as coolants respectively. Clinical parameters and red complex pathogens in the subgingival microbiome were evaluated at baseline, 3, and 6 months after treatments.

It was seen that during 6 months, the SRP plus EGCG medication contributed to additional PD reduction as 0.33 mm and gain of clinical attachment level as 0.3 mm compared with SRP alone, an approximate 8% more sites obtained PD reduction ≥ of 2 mm (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the mean relative abundance of Tannerella forsythia was significantly lower in the combined treatment group (p < 0.05).

Hence, the authors concluded that "the purified EGCG showed the potential to improve the outcome of non-surgical periodontal treatment and the new-type scaler tip provided an alternative vehicle for subgingival medication."