Healing energy of nature, implicated in periodontal therapy: Aloevera, a comparative study

The periodontal diseases are among the most common of chronic diseases to affect the mankind. Various chemotherapeutic agents are used but due to undesirable effects, the use of natural products has increased recently. Among the various, currently available herbal agents, Aloe Vera is considered to be most promising and high – ranking agent. In the present study the effect of aloe vera on reduction of plaque, gingivitis and periodontitis was evaluated in a randomized, single-blind, split- mouth study. Ten patients with chronic periodontitis having 5mm periodontal pockets bilaterally at least in one site are included. On One side, scaling root planing is done and on the contralateral side along with scaling and root planing, pure aloe vera gel was applied. Probing pocket depth, gingival index and plaque index were noted at baseline and after six weeks. It was found that there was significant improvement in the pocket depth and the gingival index readings after 6 weeks in both the groups. The results presented in the study suggest that Aloe – Vera gel is effective in the treatment of chronic periodontitis when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing. It can become an important part of the preventive and therapeutic treatments.