A randomized clinical trial on the short-term clinical and microbiological effects of the adjunctive use of a 0.05% chlorhexidine mouth rinse for patients in supportive periodontal care.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical and microbiological activity of a new mouth rinse formulation, used as an adjunct to oral hygiene, for patients in supportive periodontal care.


METHODS
This was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with two groups: test group, rinsing twice per day with the test product (with 0.05% chlorhexidine and 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride); and control group, rinsing with a placebo. Treated chronic periodontitis patients were included, and two visits were rendered, baseline, and after 15 days. Clinical outcome variables included plaque and gingival indices, and probing pocket depth. Subgingival samples were processed by culturing. Patient-based variables and adverse effects were also assessed. Outcome variables were compared by t-test, chi2, and Mann-Whitney test.


RESULTS
The results belonged to 33 patients. Plaque and gingival indices, and the log of bacterial total counts were reduced in the test group (p < or = 0.01), but differences between groups were only statistically significant (p < 0.05) for plaque and bacterial counts. A significant reduction in the proportions of flora (p < 0.05) and frequency of detection (p = 0.01) of Porphyromonas gingivalis was observed in the test group.


CONCLUSIONS
The newly formulated mouth rinse demonstrated short-term plaque-inhibitory activity. This was associated with a reduction in the total load of anaerobic subgingival microflora.
Santos
Sagrario
S
Section of Graduate Periodontology, Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Herrera
David
D
López
Elsa
E
O'Connor
Ana
A
González
Itziar
I
Sanz
Mariano
M
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002594:Cetylpyridinium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010919:Placebos; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D010919:Placebos; D002594:Cetylpyridinium; D002710:Chlorhexidine