The aim of this in-vitro study was to compare the physical properties of three suture materials used in periodontal surgery: silk, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE), and polylactic acid/polyglycolic and (PLA/PGA). Five physical tests were carried out on each of the three suture materials: strain to failure, tensile strength, knot tensile strength, knot slippage, and capillarity. For each test, 30 samples of each suture material were used. In all cases, the statistical results showed that the e-PTFE and the PLA/PGA threads were superior.

The Effect on the subgingival microflora of a single topical administration of a 95% collagen and 5% metronidazole device in combination with debridement was investigated in 30 adult periodontitis patients in comparison with mechanical treatment alone. For each patient, plaque samples from test and control sites in cuspids and bicuspids were collected for culture and enumeration of total anaerobically cultivable bacteria (TA), black-pigmented anaerobes (BPA), and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). Spirochetes and fusiforms were quantified by direct microscopic examination after Giemsa staining. A decrease was observed for all parameters, and a significant difference in comparison with the control group was found for fusiforms. After treatment, a lower number of Aa positive sites were observed in the test group (13/25). These results show that a single application of topical metronidazole seems to be effective as adjunctive antimicrobial treatment in adult periodontitis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of a single application of a 5% metronidazole collagen device in periodontal pockets deeper than 5 mm in association with debridement and without reinforcement of home care and hygiene as practiced by the patient at any time. Pocket depth, attachment level, bleeding on probing, gingival index and plaque index were assessed at baseline, and on days 15, 30 and 90. Analysis of data from 28 patients indicated that both debridement and metronidazole therapy decreased pocket depth, bleeding on probing and gingival index, but results were significantly better with metronidazole. These results indicate that topical metronidazole provides an effective adjunctive treatment of advanced periodontitis.