الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The matrix metalloproteinase-8 is regarded as one of the promising candidates for diagnosing and predicting the progression of periodontitis. MMP-8 was documented in several studies. Salivary and oral fluids MMP-8 levels are higher in subjects with localized and generalized periodontitis than in healthy controls but the levels reduced after nonsurgical periodontal therapy.
Tea tree oil has a broad‑spectrum antimicrobial, anti‑inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant effect. A few studies showed the useful effect of the local application of TTO on periodontal diseases. The main active ingredients of TTO are 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol; it also contains many more components whose biological properties have not been thoroughly researched. These components are also found in other common essential oils, e.g., eucalyptus and fennel oil.
The present study was the first human randomized controlled trial to assess the matrix metalloproteinase-8 levels in the gingival crevicular fluid after intrapocket application of tea tree oil gel to treat moderate periodontitis to compare it to another conventional non-surgical treatment (scaling and root planning). The null hypothesis was supported by the results of the present study.
The study population comprised of thirty pockets of thirty patients, with moderate periodontitis. They were divided into control group which comprised fifteen patients treated with scaling and root planning (SRP) only, and test group which comprised of fifteen patients treated with previous treatment and local delivered TTO gel. Clinical parameters measured: pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and bleeding upon probing were evaluated at baseline and after 3 months.