title: The influence of a 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse on plaque regrowth in orthodontic patients. A randomized prospective study. Part I: clinical parameters.
abstract: In a prospective plaque regrowth study focusing on oral hygiene during fixed appliance therapy 12 adolescent patients (mean age 14.1 +/- 1.5 years) were evaluated twice over 2-day test periods. In the randomized, double-blind study the influence of a 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthrinse (Corsodyl) and a commercially available dentifrice supplementing fluoride (Odol-med-3) were compared intra- and interindividually in a crossover design with regard to plaque and gingivitis. Before starting the first test phase there was a 14-day preliminary phase for upgrading the oral hygiene. Between the 2 test phases was a 5-day "washout". On the last day of the second test phase the patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire concerning their experiences during the study. The 0.2% Corsodyl reduced the plaque index scores significantly (p < 0.001). The gingival index revealed a similar reduction (2nd day of test: p = 0.03). Until the 5th day of washout a clear-cut carryover effect of the chlorhexidine rinse on the gingival index was observed. Both the lower mean values of the 2 clinical parameters at the beginning of the test phases as compared with those at the beginning of the preliminary phase and the evaluation of the questionnaires indicated a possible Hawthorne effect. 0.2% Corsodyl may be employed as an adjunct to other preventive measures such as professional care and patient-oriented instruction on an intermittent basis in order to reduce the plaque-induced iatrogenic side effects and to enhance the efficacy of oral hygiene measures in connection with orthodontic therapy with fixed appliances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, University of Saarland, Homburg, Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gehlen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Netuschil
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Katsaros
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D002710:Chlorhexidine