Evaluation of the efficacy of an hyaluronic acid-based biogel on periodontal clinical parameters. A randomized-controlled clinical pilot study

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an ubiquitous form of non-sulphated glycosaminoglycan of the extracellular matrix of all mammalian connective tissues. It is mainly present during tissue’s formation or during most of initial tissue’s repair processess. Cell migration, adhesion and differentiation are only part of several unique biological characteristics of HA which have been under investigation in the past decades. Aim of the study: Evaluate the possible positive effect of an esterified form of HA on gingival tissues in mild chronic periodontitis patients, seeking for the reduction of all the periodontal disease clinical parameters PLI (Plaque Index), BOP (Bleeding on Probing), PPD (Probing Pocket Depth), GI (Gingival Index), PAL (Probing Attachment Level). Materials and methods: The study is an open, intrapatient, controlled, single center pilot clinical trial including 19 adult patients with mild chronic periodontitis and shallow pockets (< 4 mm) in at least two different quadrants. One quadrant was treated with HA gel after regular toothbrushing (test), the other without (control). Results. Although oral hygiene itself had a similar positive influence on the improvement of all the clinical indexes for test and control, the treatment with HA gel showed a greater effect almost always statistically significant. BOP in the HA gel treated areas had a decrease of 92.7% and GI of 96.5%, whereas controls 75.8% and 79.0% respectively. The difference of PPD in both areas was statistically significant (p