The Use of Chlorhexidine and a Probiotic Lozenge in the Nonsurgical Therapy of Periodontitis

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with generalized (\>30% of teeth affected) periodontitisstage III and IV periodontitis, grade B or C (C only with smoker modifier) = generalized chronic periodontitis including smokers * A minimum of three natural teeth in each quadrant, excluding third molars * Willing and able to give informed consent * Not more than 50% of the patients in each group will be smokers. * Smokers should smoke between 10 to 40 cigarettes a day Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with localized periodontitis or periodontitis stage I or II or grade A or grade C or grade C with diabetes modifier * Patients with orthodontic appliances (removable or fixed) * Pregnant or lactating woman * Patients with a history of systemic diseases that may correlate with periodontal health, such as diabetesrheumatic fever, liver or kidney disease, and neurological deficiencies * Patients taking medication which may affect the periodontium (bisphosphonates, phenytoin, cyclosporin, nifidepine, chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) * Patient who had taken systemic antibiotics up to 3 months prior to treatment or medical conditions requiring prophylactic antibiotic coverage * Participation in any other clinical study * Tobacco chewing or sniffing