Chlorhexidine varnishes: a review.
BACKGROUND
Of all chemical plaque control agents, chlorhexidine digluconate has proven to be the most effective and safe. Since 1964, varnishes have been used for local delivery of fluor and are reported to be an effective and easy to use vehicle. During the past decade, varnishes for local delivery of antimicrobial agents have been developed and investigated in vitro and in vivo.


OBJECTIVE
In this paper, the existing literature on the use of 3 different chlorhexidine varnishes in different fields in dentistry is reviewed.


METHODS
In vitro results concerning the release of the antimicrobial agents are compared for the 3 different varnish formulations.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical reports on the efficacy of controlled-release systems in altering cariogenic and periodontopathic microflora are summarized.
Matthijs
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Free University of Brussels, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Periodontology, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium. stefan.matthijs@vub.ac.be
Adriaens
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PA
D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000187:drug effects; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects; D013943:Thymol / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D011140:Polyurethanes; C079161:chlorhexidine, thymol drug combination; C453344:chlorzoin; C023807:sodium fluoride topical preparation; D013943:Thymol; D000431:Ethanol; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine