Abstract

Dental implants of tinidazole were formulated using Poly (ε-caprolactone), a biodegradable polymer and evaluated. Clinical evaluation was carried out to evaluate the usefulness in periodontal therapy. Gingival crevicular fluid concentration of the drug was found to be 4.9±13.2 μg per mg of gingival fluid which was higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration for many of the periodontal pathogens through out the period of study (40 days). Low drug concentration was found in saliva which is desirable. High concentration of drug in saliva may supress the normal commencal flora of the oral cavity and may also pose a risk of over growth of opportunistic organisms causing several adverse effects. The implants prepared were capable of releasing tinidazole and maintain effective concentration in gingival crevicular fluid for an adequate duration of time to inhibit the growth of various periodontopathic organisms which confirms the clinical efficacy of the implants prepared.