Cem A. Gürgan

Effect of Antibiotic Prophylaxis on Serum C-reactive Protein Level Immediately following Periodontal Treatment: An Experimental Clinical Study

Introduction: The immediate rise in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels associated with the delivery of the subgingival instrumentation and the associated bacteremia and tissue damage was shown shortly after periodontal treatment was delivered. However, the additive effect of the protection against bacteremia on immediate alterations in CRP levels has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the immediate effect of single session of nonsurgical periodontal treatment with or without antibiotic prophylaxis on serum levels of CRP. Materials and methods: Forty systemically healthy subjects with chronic periodontitis were randomly assigned to two groups. Clinical periodontal parameters and smoking status were recorded. Serum CRP levels were determined using nephelometric method at baseline and 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment. Results: Except for the difference between baseline and day 7, there were significant differences (p < 0.001) in CRP levels between the evaluation days in both groups. However, the differences between the groups for the alterations were not significant. Conclusion: In agreement with previous observations, periodontitis and traumatic effect of periodontal treatment seem to contribute to systemic inflammation detected by the presence of immediate rise in the CRP level. Additional administration of prophylactic antibiotic did not alter this immediate systemic response.