title: Efficacy of a chlorhexidine and a chlorhexidine-fluoride varnish mixture to decrease interdental levels of mutans streptococci.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of a chlorhexidine/thymol-containing (CHX) and a chlorhexidine/thymol/fluoride-containing (CHX + F) varnish to decrease interdental levels of mutans streptococci (MS). Eighty-two healthy schoolchildren (11-13 years) with high scores of salivary MS were selected by a screening procedure and randomised into two groups. MS were enumerated at all mesial interdental sites of the first permanent molars with the aid of a modified chair-side technique. The interdental molar and premolar sites were treated with either a 1% CHX varnish (Cervitec) or a 1:1 mixture of the CHX varnish and a fluoride varnish containing 0.1% w/w difluorsilane (Fluor Protector; CHX + F) on two occasions within a 2-week period. The varnishes were applied with a small brush after cleaning with dental floss and drying with air. Follow-up samples from the interdental areas were collected after 1 and 3 months. Both groups exhibited a similar statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction of interdental MS after 1 month when compared with baseline. After 3 months, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) was still found in the CHX + F varnish group but not in the CHX varnish group. In conclusion, the results suggest that the addition of fluoride to an antibacterial varnish might improve the long-term efficacy in diminishing the cariogenic microbial challenge. Thus, the mixed varnish concept should be further developed and warrants an implementation of clinical studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Twetman
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Petersson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012821:Silanes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D013943:Thymol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012821:Silanes; C079161:chlorhexidine, thymol drug combination; D013943:Thymol; C022599:Fluor Protector; D002710:Chlorhexidine