Effect of nano-crystalline silver membrane on early wound healing after periodontal surgery: A comparative randomized study

• Published in: Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 504 - 509
• Main Authors: Aggarwal, Kanika, Gupta, Shipra, Sood, Shaveta, Bhardwaj, Sonia, Prashar, Savita, Jain, Ashish
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-11-2021; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Anti-inflammatory agents; Antimicrobial activity; bandages; Care and treatment; Comparative analysis; Gum disease; Health aspects; Inflammation; Medical dressings; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Original; Patients; Periodontitis; Plaque index; silver; Statistical analysis; Surgery; Tetracycline; Tetracyclines; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Wound healing; Wounds and injuries; India; wound healing; silver; Bandages; periodontitis
• ISSN: 0972-124X; 0975-1580
• DOI: 10.4103/jisp.jisp_17_21

Background: Periodontal dressings are used for wound protection and patient comfort. Nano-silver particles have the ability to promote wound healing through anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate early wound healing parameters following periodontal surgery using nano-crystalline silver membrane as periodontal dressing. Materials and Methods: Forty-two systemically healthy patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis indicated for periodontal flap surgery were enrolled for the present study. Post surgery, the patients were randomly allocated to either a nano-crystalline silver dressing (Acticoat™) group (test group) or only the noneugenol dressing group (control group). Plaque index (PI) and wound healing index were recorded at the 7th- and 14th-day postsurgery. The microbiological analysis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were evaluated at baseline and 7th-day postsurgery. Results: The healing index was significantly higher in the test group as compared to the control group at days 7 and 14 (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). The colony-forming units/ml count of bacteria were significantly reduced postsurgery in the test group (P = 0.019). VEGF levels increased significantly 7th-day postsurgery in the test group (P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the PI on the 7th-day postsurgery between the two groups (P = 0.173). Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that silver can be used as a potent periodontal dressing ingredient that can decrease the microbial colonization beneath the pack and promote faster healing postsurgery due to its antimicrobial activity.