Effect of different 1% chlorhexidine varnish regimens on mutans streptococci levels in saliva and dental biofilm.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate in a randomized controlled study the effect of different 1% chlorhexidine (CHX) varnish regimens on levels of mutans streptococci (MS) in saliva and dental biofilm.


METHODS
Subjects with MS < or = 10(5) CFU/ml saliva, 11-16 years old, were allocated into four groups: Group A (n = 14): one 1% CHX varnish application; Group B (n = 14): 1% CHX varnish was applied once daily on 3 consecutive days; Group C (n = 15): 1% CHX varnish was applied three times with an interval of 4 days between each application; and Group D (n = 12): placebo varnish was applied once daily on 3 consecutive days. Saliva and dental biofilm samples were collected at baseline and 1, 4, and 8 weeks after the final varnish application.


RESULTS
After 1 week, a slight reduction in salivary levels of MS in Groups A, B, and C (-0.70, -0.90, and -0.41 log10 CFU/ml saliva, respectively) was observed, significant only in Groups A and B (P < 0.05). No difference in salivary levels of MS was observed between the experimental groups in the different experimental periods. After 1 week in the dental biofilm a significant increase in total bacterial counts was observed in all experimental groups while a significant decrease in the levels of MS was observed only in Group A.
Ribeiro
Luciana Gazaniga Maia
LG
Department of Preventive and Social Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2492, Bom Fim, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Hashizume
Lina Naomi
LN
Maltz
Marisa
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018441:Biofilms; D002648:Child; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D013943:Thymol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; C079161:chlorhexidine, thymol drug combination; D013943:Thymol; D002710:Chlorhexidine