Adjunctive effect of chlorhexidine in ultrasonic instrumentation of aggressive periodontitis patients: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present pilot randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of ultrasonic mechanical instrumentation (UMI) associated with the professional use of chlorhexidine (CHX) formulations compared with UMI alone during periodontal supportive therapy in patients with generalized aggressive periodontis (G-AgP).


METHODS
Nine patients (test group) received a single session of UMI associated with subgingival irrigation under cavitation with CHX 0.02%. A 0.2% CHX solution was used for professional tongue brushing and mouthrinsing. Ten patients (control group) received a similar session of UMI associated with subgingival irrigation and professional tongue brushing and mouthrinsing with a control formulation. Clinical and microbiological parameters were assessed pre-treatment at 3, 6 and 12 weeks post-treatment.


RESULTS
UMI either with or without additional CHX use determined a significant reduction of supragingival plaque and gingival inflammation as well as a significant reduction of subgingival bacterial pathogens. The additional use of CHX did not result in any additional clinical and microbiological benefit with respect to mere UMI.


CONCLUSIONS
The adjunctive professional use of CHX formulations to UMI seems to produce no additional effects over UMI alone during supportive therapy in G-AgP patients.
Guarnelli
Maria Elena
ME
Research Center for Study of Periodontal Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Franceschetti
Giovanni
G
Manfrini
Roberta
R
Trombelli
Leonardo
L
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine