Effect of chlorhexidine gel on approximal caries increment in adolescents with high caries risk using professional flossing compared to individual trays.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine gel treatment on approximal caries development during a three year-study in children with expected high risk of caries. New caries of this group was compared to the caries development in two groups with assumed moderate or low caries risk. One hundred and sixty-nine of 201 twelve-year-old children fulfilled the trial. A group of 77 children showed no caries experience and was expected to be a low caries risk group (R1). Ninety-two children had at least one approximal lesion and their salivary numbers of mutans streptococci (ms) were quantified. Forty-six of those showed less than 3 x 10(5) ms per ml saliva and were supposed to have a moderate caries risk (R2). Forty-six children, with high levels of ms, were expected to have a high caries risk (R3). Both R1 and R3 were treated with fluoride varnish every 18th month and R2 every 6th month. The R3 group was supplementary treated with 1% chlorhexidine gel (Corsodyl) by using either flossing combined with polishing (Flossing group), or gel in individual trays (Tray group) every third month, in two subsequent days. The mean caries development during three years was for R1 and R2, 1.5 and 3.0, respectively. For R3, the corresponding caries incidence was 2.9 in the Tray group and 2.8 in the Flossing group. Significantly less new caries was found in the R1 compared to R2 and R3, but no significant difference was found between R2 and R3 or between the two groups of R3. In conclusion both methods of professional chlorhexidine gel treatments showed a caries development corresponding to the group with moderate caries risk and could both be used for caries prevention.
Lindquist
Birgitta
B
Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborgs Universitet, Göteborg, Sweden. birgitta.lindquist@odontologi.gu.se
Gisselsson
Hans
H
Wennerholm
Kerstin
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005782:Gels; D002710:Chlorhexidine