IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONPerioChip® should not be used in any patient who has a known sensitivity to chlorhexidine. Anaphylaxis, as well as serious allergic reactions, have been reported during postmarketing use with dental products containing chlorhexidine.
What is PerioChip®
An Effective and Well Tolerated Treatment for Periodontal Disease
PerioChip® is a unique biodegradable chip, which contains 2.5 mg of Chlorhexidine Gluconate that has been shown to be an effective and generally well tolerated adjunctive treatment for reduction of pocket depth (PD) in patients with adult periodontitis with a PD greater than or equal to 5mm, when used with scaling and root planing (SRP).
How can PerioChip® help my periodontal pockets?
PerioChip®, when combined with scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures, has been shown to reduce pocket depth (PD) in patients with adult periodontitis. PerioChip® may be used as a part of a periodontal maintenance program, which includes good oral hygiene and SRP. PerioChip® is recommended for use in periodontal pockets with a PD greater than or equal to 5 mm.
How does PerioChip® work?
PerioChip® (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) 2.5mg releases chlorhexidine in vitro in a biophasic manner, initially releasing approximately 40%of the chlorhexidine within the first 24 hours and then releasing the remaining chlorhexidine in an almost linear fashion for 7-10 days.
PerioChip® has been shown, in vitro, to fight bacteria for a period of seven to ten days. PerioChip®is effective against a broad spectrum of microbes. As such, it is able to kill bacteria that scaling and root planing leaves behind in gum pockets greater than 5 mm.
PerioChip® has been shown, in vitro, to fight bacteria for a period of seven to ten days. PerioChip®is effective against a broad spectrum of microbes. As such, it is able to kill bacteria that scaling and root planing leaves behind in gum pockets greater than 5 mm.
How is PerioChip® applied?
PerioChip® is a small thin wafer that your dentist or hygienist inserts under the gums in those areas where gum pockets are greater than 5 mm after scaling and root planing (SRP).
Because gum disease is a chronic condition, your dentist may recommend additional treatment at three and/or six months after initial treatment, in pockets with a remaining PD of ≥5 mm. Once in place, PerioChip® dissolves naturally with no need to remove it. Patients should avoid flossing at the site of PerioChip® insertion for 10 days after placement, since flossing could dislodge the chip. Patients should notify their dentist promptly if the chip dislodges.
Because gum disease is a chronic condition, your dentist may recommend additional treatment at three and/or six months after initial treatment, in pockets with a remaining PD of ≥5 mm. Once in place, PerioChip® dissolves naturally with no need to remove it. Patients should avoid flossing at the site of PerioChip® insertion for 10 days after placement, since flossing could dislodge the chip. Patients should notify their dentist promptly if the chip dislodges.
Will it hurt?
Normally, placement of PerioChip® takes less than one minute after SRP. Some mild-to-moderate sensitivity during the first week after placement of the chip is normal. Patient should notify their dentist promptly if pain, swelling or other problems occur.
What results can I expect from using PerioChip®?
Everyone is different and therefore results will vary from one patient to the next, but clinical evidence has shown that in conjunction with scaling and root planing, PerioChip was associated with significant reduction of probing pocket depth in patients with pocket depth ≥ 5 mm, compared with those treated with scaling and root planing alone, at nine months after initial treatment.
What Are the Risks Associated with PerioChip®?
Anaphylaxis, as well as serious allergic reactions, have been reported during postmarketing use with dental products containing chlorhexidine.
Patients should report any signs of local adverse reactions to their dentists. Patients who develop allergic symptoms such as skin rash, itch, generalized swelling, breathing difficulties, light headedness, rapid heart rate, upset stomach or diarrhea, should seek medical attention immediately.
Most oral sensitivity or pain occurred within the first week of initial chip placement following scaling and root planing (SRP), was mild-to-moderate in nature and usually resolved itself spontaneously within days. Patients should notify their dentist promptly if pain, swelling or other problems occur.
Infectious events are rare. Abscesses and cellulitis (which have been reported after SRP alone) have been reported with the adjunctive placement of PerioChip® post-SRP. Management of patients with periodontal disease should include consideration of possible underlying medical disorders, such as cancer, diabetes, and immune-compromised status.
The use of PerioChip® in acutely abscessed periodontal pockets has not been studied and therefore is not recommended.
The most frequently observed adverse events in the two pivotal clinical trials were toothache, upper respiratory tract infection and headache. Toothache was the only adverse reaction that was significantly higher statistically in the PerioChip® group than in the placebo group.These reactions were observed less frequently with subsequent chip placement at three and six months. No long-term adverse events have been documented.
Dislodging of the PerioChip® is uncommon, however, patients should notify their dentist promptly if the PerioChip® becomes displaced.
Patients should report any signs of local adverse reactions to their dentists. Patients who develop allergic symptoms such as skin rash, itch, generalized swelling, breathing difficulties, light headedness, rapid heart rate, upset stomach or diarrhea, should seek medical attention immediately.
Most oral sensitivity or pain occurred within the first week of initial chip placement following scaling and root planing (SRP), was mild-to-moderate in nature and usually resolved itself spontaneously within days. Patients should notify their dentist promptly if pain, swelling or other problems occur.
Infectious events are rare. Abscesses and cellulitis (which have been reported after SRP alone) have been reported with the adjunctive placement of PerioChip® post-SRP. Management of patients with periodontal disease should include consideration of possible underlying medical disorders, such as cancer, diabetes, and immune-compromised status.
The use of PerioChip® in acutely abscessed periodontal pockets has not been studied and therefore is not recommended.
The most frequently observed adverse events in the two pivotal clinical trials were toothache, upper respiratory tract infection and headache. Toothache was the only adverse reaction that was significantly higher statistically in the PerioChip® group than in the placebo group.These reactions were observed less frequently with subsequent chip placement at three and six months. No long-term adverse events have been documented.
Dislodging of the PerioChip® is uncommon, however, patients should notify their dentist promptly if the PerioChip® becomes displaced.
- American Academy of Periodontology – http://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-symptoms.htm
- American Academy of Periodontology – http://www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.heart.htm
- In vitro data is not necessarily indicative of clinical efficacy.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/anitbiotic-resistance-faqs.html