Essential oils in one-stage full-mouth disinfection: double-blind, randomized clinical trial of long-term clinical, microbial and salivary effects.
OBJECTIVE
This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effects of an essential oils-containing mouthrinse for full-mouth disinfection.


METHODS
Fifty patients were assigned to receive full-mouth disinfection with either essential oils or placebo. At baseline, 2 and 6 months of treatment the primary outcomes probing depth (PD), plaque index (PlI) and modified gingival index (MGI) were monitored. Additional monitoring included bacterial presence (by polymerase chain reaction) in subgingival, saliva and tongue samples; flows, pH, total protein and alkaline phosphatase salivary levels. The following statistics were used: ANOVA, Student's t-test, chi(2) and Kruskal-Wallis (p<0.05).


RESULTS
Mean PD>or=3.5 mm was reduced over time in both the placebo and the test groups, but there was no difference in PD reduction between groups at 2 and 6 months. At 2 and 6 months, PlI and MGI showed greater reductions in the test group than in the placebo group. Porphyromona gingivalis was not reduced in any site. At 6 months, Campylobacter rectus increased in both groups, while Tannerella forsythensis decreased subgingivally in the test group. S. sanguinis increased, except subgingivally, in the placebo group. Salivary pH and flows were not altered. Total protein reduced only in the test group. Alkaline phosphatase did not change in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
Essential oils for full-mouth disinfection showed clinical benefits, namely reducing plaque and gingival inflammation without altering basic salivary parameters.
Cortelli
Sheila Cavalca
SC
Department of Periodontology, University of Taubaté, SP, Brazil. cavalcacortelli@uol.com.br
Cortelli
José Roberto
JR
Holzhausen
Marinella
M
Franco
Gilson Cesar Nobre
GC
Rebelo
Renato Zanotta
RZ
Sonagere
Alan Salinas
AS
Queiroz
Celso da Silva
Cda S
Costa
Fernando Oliveira
FO
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012534:Dental Scaling; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D012636:Secretory Rate
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides