This study will be conducted as a double-blind, randomized, 6-month clinical trial to test the efficacy of systemic valacyclovir to prevent further progression of severe periodontitis. Subjects with at least 4 deep vertical periodontal lesions (> 4 mm loss of clinical attachment level) showing no radiographic crestal alveolar lamina dura will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Patients (N=20) in the valacyclovir group will be received, at baseline, periodontal scaling + valacyclovir (500 mg, 3 times a day for 3 days) (Valacyclovir group).~Patients (N=20) in the control group will be received, at baseline, periodontal scaling + placebo medication, three times a day for 3 days (Control group). All patients in both treatment groups will be evaluated for the status of their periodontal disease after 3 months by assessing clinical attachment level changes, periodontal pocket depth, and gingival bleeding on probing. Patients showing one or more periodontal site(s) with ongoing clinical attachment level loss of 2 mm or more will be exited from the study and receive conventional periodontal treatment such as systemic antibiotics or surgery. Patients demonstrating no additional clinical attachment level loss will remain in the study for another 3 months, after which a final assessment of the periodontal status will be performed as described above. All patients will then be referred for conventional periodontal treatment. Using a random number generator, patients will be assigned to a study group and given an undifferentiable, opaque Manila packet containing valacyclovir or placebo medication as well as written instructions. Oral hygiene instructions will be given to all subjects at baseline by a dental hygienist. Follow-up oral hygiene evaluation and instruction and dental plaque recording will be performed at 3- and 6-months post baseline treatment by a dental hygienist. Study patients will be provided with one 8 oz toothpaste (Regular Colgate) and a soft toothbrush (Oral-B Soft). Patients will need to sign informed consent before enrollment into the study. Patients are free to discontinue the study at any time for any or for no reason. A periodontist who is blinded to the baseline valacyclovir/placebo treatment will perform the clinical and radiographic diagnostic procedures. Clinical examinations, carried out at baseline and at 3-and 6-month post-baseline treatment, will include a whole-mouth measurement of clinical attachment loss level, periodontal pocket depth, plaque index and degree of gingivitis (bleeding on probing). Radiographic evaluation of alveolar bone level and appearance (presence or absence of radiographic crestal alveolar lamina dura) will be performed at baseline and at 6- month post-treatment. The Mann-Whitney statistical tests will assess the outcome data. A manageable patient sample size of 40 is estimated to detect, with a power of 80% and a type I error of 0.05, a difference in periodontal outcome between the valacyclovir and the placebo group. A statistician will analyze the data.
The experiment outlined in this proposal is designed to test the hypothesis that herpesvirus suppression by the systemic anti-herpesvirus valacyclovir (Valtrex) can significantly help to arrest the progressive course of severe marginal periodontitis in adult patients. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial is employed to test this hypothesis.