“Local Delivery of Tulsi Extract versus Chlorhexidine Gel in the Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis – A Randomized Clinical Study and Microbiological Assessment -”

Abstract

Periodontitis is a disease that affects the periodontium. It is caused by interaction between bacteria and host. Bacterial pathogens play an important role in the pathogenesis. The bacteria that are concerned with periodontitis reside in the subgingival plaque that is composed mainly of gram negative strict anaerobic rods (Hinricks and Novak, 2012).

Bacterial pathogens stimulate the formation of cytokines and chemokines by the gingival epithelial cells, subsequent in the induction of adhesion molecules, increased permeability of gingival capillaries and attraction of polymorphonuclear leucocytes via the junctional epithelium and into the gingival sulcus. If this process continues, the inflammation extends deep into the tissues and results in loss of supporting structures and also allows the formation of a periodontal pocket (Pihlstrom et al., 2005; Ford et al., 2010).