Limited benefit of copaifera oil on gingivitis progression in humans.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the antiplaque and antigingivitis effect of Copaifera sp (Cp).


METHODS
Twenty-three subjects participated in a randomized controlled clinical trial using a 21-day, partial-mouth experimental model of gingivitis. A custom tooth shield was fabricated for each subject to prevent the brushing of the four experimental posterior teeth in the lower-left quadrant. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the control group (using a placebo gel) or the test group (using the test gel containing 10% Cp).


RESULTS
The clinical results showed statistically significant differences for plaque (PLI), bleeding (BI), and gingival (GI) indexes at days 0 and 21 in both groups (p<0.05). However, on day 21 there was no statistically significant difference between groups for all indexes (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The test gel containing 10% Cp did not prevent plaque formation and development of gingivitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Several medicinal herbs are used empirically by persons in the treatment and prevention of oral conditions. Research in this area must be encouraged to determine which herbal agents would be a useful addition to the current range of chemotherapeutic periodontal treatment options.
Pereira
Sérgio Luís da Silva
SL
Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. luiss@unifor.br
Barros
Cristiane Simões
CS
Salgado
Thiago Daher Yunes
TD
Filho
Vicente Paulo Pereira
VP
Costa
Flávio Nogueira
FN
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D007887:Fabaceae; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014099:Toothbrushing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D005782:Gels; D010938:Plant Oils