Proportion of healed teeth with apical periodontitis medicated with two percent chlorhexidine gluconate liquid: a case-series study.
BACKGROUND
Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) is a potential intracanal medicament, but data on healing after its use are lacking. Previously we reported on bacterial sampling in 22 teeth with apical periodontitis medicated with CHX. This study assessed healing in those teeth.


METHODS
Canals were instrumented and medicated with 2% CHX liquid for 7-15 days and subsequently irrigated and filled. Bacterial samples were taken before and after instrumentation, after medication and before root filling, and enumerated by culture and vital microscopy. After 2-4 years, subjects were examined clinically and radiographically by assigning Periapical Index scores by independent calibrated examiners. Outcome was dichotomized as healed or disease.


RESULTS
With 2 teeth extracted, 1 deceased subject, and 2 nonrespondents, 16 of 17 examined teeth (94%) were healed without association with bacterial sampling results. The proportion of healed teeth in this study did not differ significantly (Fisher exact test; P = .20) from that in a historical control (90%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested a comparable outcome after medication with 2% CHX liquid and calcium hydroxide.
Tervit
Craig
C
Discipline of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Paquette
Lisane
L
Torneck
Calvin D
CD
Basrani
Bettina
B
Friedman
Shimon
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D002710:Chlorhexidine