This study was conducted to evaluate by clinical and microbiological parameters the effect of locally delivered propolis as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Materials and Methods: 20 subjects diagnosed with chronic periodontitis were recruited to participate in split-mouth design and provided informed consent. Subgingival plaque sampling and clinical recording at baseline, 15 days and 1 month was performed. The patients received scaling and root planing, followed by Propolis administration subgingivally in the test sites. Significant differences between test and control were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon rank test.

Inclusion Criteria:

• good general health
• chronic periodontitis
• minimum of 20 natural teeth with at least one pocket per quadrant
• probing depth (PD) between 5 and 8 mm.

Exclusion Criteria:

• subgingival instrumentation within 3 months
• antibiotic therapy within 3 months prior to the start of the study;
• smokers
• pregnant or nursing women
• intolerance or allergy to honey products