Role of Vitamin C in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis and Its Influence on Salivary Total Antioxidant Capacity Levels.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the role of vitamin C in patients with chronic periodontitis and its influence on salivary total antioxidant capacity levels.

Materials and Methods: The study comprised 0f 30 subjects with chronic periodontitis and 30 healthy controls. Thirty chronic periodontitis patients were further categorized into two groups (CGP1 and CGP2). Fifteen patients in CGP1 were treated with nonsurgical therapy and 15 patients in CGP2 were administered with 1500 mg of Vitamin C supplementation per day along with nonsurgical therapy. Patients were evaluated for plaque index, gingival index, gingival bleeding index, pocket depth, and clinical attachment level at 30 days and 60 days’post treatment. The salivary total antioxidant capacity levels were analyzed by Koracevic’s method at initial visit and 60 days’post treatment.

Results: Subjects with chronic periodontitis showed decreased salivary total antioxidant capacity levels in comparison with healthy controls. A significant reduction in all the clinical parameters and salivary total antioxidant capacity levels in both groups of chronic periodontitis at 30 days and 60 days post treatment was observed. Patients in CGP2 showed a significant reduction in gingival bleeding index score but no significant improvement in plaque index, gingival index, pocket depth, and clinical attachment level and in salivary total antioxidant capacity levels was noted when compared with subjects of CGP1.

Conclusion: Vitamin C supplementation revealed a significant reduction in gingival bleeding index score at 30 days and 60 days’post treatment but no significant improvement with respect to other periodontal parameters and salivary total antioxidant capacity levels was noted as compared to nonsurgical therapy.