Increased antibacterial activity of zinc polycarboxylate cement by the addition of chlorhexidine gluconate in fixed prosthodontics.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of water-activated zinc polycarboxylate cement with adjunctive 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate on the subgingival microbiota in fixed partial dentures.


METHODS
Thirty-six teeth prepared as fixed partial denture abutments in 9 patients were cemented randomly using water-activated zinc polycarboxylate cement (control group) or water-activated zinc polycarboxylate cement, including 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (test group). A total of 108 subgingival plaque samples were analyzed at baseline, immediately before permanent cementation (5 weeks), and 8 weeks later (at 13 weeks).


RESULTS
In the control group, the subgingival microbiota altered to closely resemble the flora of chronic gingivitis (increased proportions of gram-negative anaerobes such as Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum) by 13 weeks. In contrast, the microflora at test sites comprised predominantly gram-positive facultative cocci and rods at 13 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that the addition of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate may enhance the antimicrobial action of polycarboxylate cements to ensure the maintenance of a microflora compatible with periodontal health, at least up to 13 weeks post-cementation.
Orug
Berrin Ors
BO
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. berrinorug@yahoo.com
Baysallar
Mehmet
M
Cetiner
Deniz
D
Kucukkaraaslan
Ayten
A
Dogan
Berna
B
Doganci
Levent
L
Akca
Eralp
E
Bal
Belgin
B
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000187:drug effects*; D002484:Cementation; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement / Q000737:chemistry*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine