Evaluation of locally delivered Vitamin D3 gel in nonsurgical periodontal therapy – A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Background: There is a growing need for adjunctive periodontal therapies that effectively reduce inflammation, halt disease progression, and enhance tissue regeneration. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of locally delivered Vitamin D3 gel as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy in patients with periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled split-mouth trial was conducted in 30 patients with Stage II–III periodontitis and bilateral pockets. Test sites received scaling and root planing (SRP) with locally delivered Vitamin D3 gel, while control sites received SRP with placebo gel. Clinical parameters – plaque index, gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), width of keratinized tissue (WKT), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level – were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Intragroup changes across time points were analyzed using the analysis of variance, and intergroup comparisons were performed using the paired t -test, with significance set at 0.05. Results: Significant intragroup PPD reductions were observed in both groups at 6 months (Test: 4.75 ± 0.72–3.2 ± 0.62 mm; Control: 5.0 ± 0.73–2.7 ± 0.47 mm; P < 0.05). Intergroup differences were nonsignificant at baseline and 3 months ( P > 0.05). At 6 months, the test group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in GI ( t = 3.13, P = 0.005), SBI ( t = 4.77, P = 0.000), WKT ( t = 2.60, P = 0.017), and PPD ( t = 3.25, P = 0.004), indicating superior clinical outcomes. Conclusion: Local delivery of Vitamin D3 gel resulted in significant reductions in PPD and GI, suggesting a promising adjunctive approach to periodontal therapy by simultaneously targeting inflammation, infection control, and tissue regeneration.