0.12% Chlorhexidine Effectively Prevents Plaque Accumulation Rate and Early Signs of Gingivitis: A Split Mouth, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled and Parallel Study

Abstract

Background:The aim of this split-mouth study was to compare the antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of different chlorhexidine (Chx) formulations and essential oils (EO) over negative control (steril saline) during the first 4-day of plaque accumulation on cleaned tooth surfaces.Subjects and methods: Systemically and periodontally healthy dental students were enrolled. After supragingival prophylaxis, subjects were advised to refrain from oral hygiene measures. Two test; 0.12% Chx (Klorheks ® ), 0.1% Chx (Eludryl ® ), one positive control; EO (Listerine ® Total Care) one negative control (sterile saline) agents were used for supragingival irrigation by the clinician. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BoP), periodontal probing depth (PPD) were recorded at 1 and 5 days of the study.Results: Plaque scores were significantly higher at 5 days compared to 1st day for each agent (p<0.05). Both Chx formulations resulted in lower plaque scores compared to saline (p<0.05).Accumulated plaque quantity at the end of 4 days was significanly lowered only in 0.12% Chx applied quadrants than the control agent (p<0.05). 0.12% Chx significantly prevented gingival inflammation compared to saline (p<0.05). Conclusions:The results of this study suggest that 0.12% Chx concentration effectively prevents plaque accumulation and early signs of gingivitis significantly better than 0.1% Chx with alcohol and EO in absence of regular plaque control.