The effect of the topical administration of bioactive glass on inflammatory markers of human experimental gingivitis

Recent studies demonstrated that bioactive glass attenuated inflammatory reactions and bacterial growth in vitro. The aim of the present clinical study was to evaluate the effects of local bioactive glass-administration in vivo in subjects with experimental gingivitis. In each individual, contralateral teeth served as test and control over a 21-day non-hygiene (preventive phase) and a 7-day therapeutic phase. A 45S5 bioactive glass (10% solution) was applied daily (2×1 h) on the test teeth during the preventive and therapeutic phase of the study. Inflammation assessment was based on the plaque index record (PI), on the bleeding frequency (BOP) and the gingival crevicular fluid volume (GCF). Interleukin-1β levels (IL-1β) in the GCF were measured by ELISA. Bacterial deposits on teeth increased during the 21-days non-brushing period, with no difference in plaque accumulation between test and control sides. BOP levels were significantly reduced during the therapeutic phase by the application of bioactive glass. GCF-values showed a significant reduction on the test compared to control side during the preventive and therapeutic phase. IL-1β counts decreased during the last 7 days of the study on the test side, but no significance was given. The topical application of 45S5 bioactive glass in humans with experimental gingivitis attenuated the clinical signs of inflammation, although the bacterial accumulation was not inhibited in this clinical trial.