Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
The use of contraceptive medication has been shown to increase gingival inflammatory reaction to local irritants.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the effect of oral contraceptive pills and the duration of drug intake on the plaque index, gingival index and probing depth.
METHODS:
A total of 30 women of the age group 19-40 years attending a primary health care center in AL-Ramadi city were selected and permitted to start taking contraceptive pills. Three visits were arranged of three months interval between the visits. Plaque index, gingival index &probing depth were measured at the three visits.
RESULTS:
The results revealed a significant difference in the mean plaque index & the mean gingival index among the three visits. Regarding the probing depth, 23.3% of women had pocket depth of 4 & 5mm and this percentage was the same for the three visits.
CONCLUSION:
Results indicates that women taking contraceptive pills had increasing mean of plaque & gingival indices with increasing the duration of drug intake. Probing depth was found the same through the three visits