In this study, 21 patients diagnosed as adult periodontitis were divided into 4 groups. One quadrant with an average of 6mm deep pocket depth was chosen from each individual - Group A inserted tetracycline fiber after removing supragingival calculus while group RP had calculus removal and root planning alone. Group RP+A received combination of these treatments while group C received none. Plaque index, bleeding on probing, pocket depth, attachment level, and distribution of subgingival plaque were compared and evaluated among these groups at periods of first visit, 4th week and 8th week.

The results were as follows;

1. Plaque index and bleeding on probing improved after treatment and no significant difference was found between the groups.

2. When comparing the change in pocket depth between the groups, the use of tetracycline fiber showed significant reducton in pocket depth comparable to root planing. Combined therapy of tetracycline fiber and root planing showed synergistic effect in pocket depth reduction.

3. When comparing the change in attachment level between the groups, the use of tetracycline fiber showed significant increase in clinical attachment level comparable to root planing, but no synergistic effect was found in the combined therapy.

4. When comparing the change in the motile bacteria ratio between the groups, group RP and group RP+A showed significant decrease compared with control group.

5. There were no severe adverse effects from using tetracycline fiber, except for a few patient who experienced mild discomfort.

In summary, the use of local adminstration of tetracycline fiber in adjunction to mechenical treatment can be effective for adult periodontitis.