title: Effect of single and repeated application of chlorhexidine varnish on mutans streptococci in plaque from fissures of premolar and molar teeth.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of one and two applications of 40% chlorhexidine varnish on the numbers of mutants streptococci in human dental fissure plaques from molar and premolar teeth. Twenty-nine subjects (aged 20-30 years) participated in the study and were randomly assigned to one of three groups. In each subject two fissures with high levels of mutants streptococci were selected. The fissures in group 1 (control group) were treated with placebo varnish containing no chlorhexidine. Fissures in group 2 received a single application of 40% chlorhexidine varnish, whereas fissures in group 3 received an additional chlorhexidine varnish application 1 week after the first application. Fissure plaque samples were taken prior to the first application of chlorhexidine varnish and subsequently 1, 2, and 4 months thereafter. Compared with the fissures in the control group, the suppression of mutans streptococci was significant in plaques from group 2 for up to 2 months and in plaques from group 3 for up to 4 months after application. Mutans streptococci were suppressed more strongly in premolar than in molar teeth and more strongly and for a longer period of time in fissures of premolar teeth treated twice than in fissures of premolars treated once.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cariology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Ie
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schaeken
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001641:Bicuspid; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003736:Dental Cavity Lining; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000382:microbiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007764:Lacquer; D008963:Molar; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002710:Chlorhexidine