Effect of chlorhexidine varnish on bacterial levels in plaque and saliva during orthodontic treatment.
The plaque-retentive effects of fixed orthodontic appliances may induce a rapid increase in the amount of plaque. The aim of the present study was to conduct a longitudinal clinical investigation on the antibacterial effect of chlorhexidine-containing Cervitec varnish during orthodontic treatment. Twenty-four subjects (9 male, 15 female), aged 16.5 +/- 2.5 years, participated in the study. At baseline, the subjects' DMF-S scores, stimulated salivary flow rates (ml/min) and levels of salivary Streptococcus mutans (SM) and lactobacilli (LB) were determined using Dentocult SM strip and Dentocult LB methods. After placing the orthodontic appliances, the subjects were treated with Cervitec or a placebo varnish around the bands and brackets. The chlorhexidine varnish was applied randomly in the first or second quadrant, and placebo varnish in the opposite quadrant, according to the split-mouth technique. The varnish application was repeated every 3 months to the same sites. Follow-up samples of saliva and plaque from around brackets and bands were collected at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Plaque SM and salivary SM, as well as LB counts were determined as at baseline. The results showed that a significantly higher proportion of plaque samples belonged to the low-risk category (SM count10(5) CFU/ml) on the test side than on the placebo side. Distribution of salivary samples between the low-risk and high-risk categories (based on SM and LB counts) did not change significantly until the end of the follow-up period. The number of new carious lesions after debonding the fixed orthodontic appliance was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the Cervitec-treated quadrant compared to the placebo varnish-treated quadrant. The results show that the chlorhexidine-containing varnish effectively reduced the number of SM in dental plaque around fixed orthodontic appliances.
Madléna
M
M
School of Dentistry, University of Medicine, Debrecen, Hungary. madlena@fogaszat.dote.hu
Vitalyos
G
G
Márton
S
S
Nagy
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D013943:Thymol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C079161:chlorhexidine, thymol drug combination; D013943:Thymol; D002710:Chlorhexidine