title: Efficacy of chlorhexidine, metronidazole and combination gel in the treatment of gingivitis--a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Effective plaque control is essential for prevention of gingivitis and periodontitis. The aim of this 24-week follow-up parallel study was to evaluate the efficacy of three topical gels in the treatment of gingivitis as compared to placebo gel.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty subjects diagnosed with chronic generalized gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into four groups: Group 1--placebo gel, Group 2--chlorhexidine (CHX) gel, Group 3--metronidazole (MTZ) gel and Group 4--chlorhexidine-metronidazole (CHX-MTZ) gel. Clinical evaluation was undertaken using the gingival index (GI) of Löe and Silness and the plaque index (PI) at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Microbiological analysis was also done at the same time intervals. A subjective evaluation was also undertaken by questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Groups treated with all three gels (CHX, MTZ and CHX-MTZ) showed significant clinical and microbiological improvement as compared to the group treated with a placebo gel. The reduction in PI, GI and microbiological count in the group treated with the CHX-MTZ combination gel was significant when compared to those treated with CHX and MTZ gels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical application of CHX or MTZ alone or in combination may have a role in the management of gingivitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Fort, Bangalore-560002, Karnataka, India. periodonticsgdcri@gmail.com
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Pradeep
authors.forename: Minal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Priyanka
authors.forename: Savitha B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Naik
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces / Q000187:drug effects; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D012534:Dental Scaling; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D005782:Gels; D008795:Metronidazole; D002710:Chlorhexidine