title: Effect of chlorhexidine varnish on gingival growth in orthodontic patients: a randomized prospective split-mouth study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fixed orthodontic appliances patients suffer limitations on the effective control of biofilm by mechanical methods, bringing the need of a coadjutant in the control of inflammation and oral health improvement.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this prospective split-mouth blind study was to analyze the effect of a 40% chlorhexidine (CHX) varnish on gingival growth of patients with orthodontic fixed appliances.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy teenage patients with fixed orthodontic appliances and increased gingival volume were recruited (n = 30). Each individual was his own control, having in the maxilla one control side and one treatment side. An application of varnishes occurred on the vestibular area of the upper premolars and first molar crowns, on the control side (placebo varnish) and on the experimental side (EC40(r) Biodentic CHX varnish). The varnishes and sides were randomly chosen and its identification and group was kept by a third party observer and it was not revealed to the researchers and participants until the end of study. In order to establish a baseline registration, digital photographs were taken by a trained photographer before varnish application at baseline (T0), as well as 14 days (T14) and 56 days (T56) after the application. The gingival volume was calculated indirectly using the vestibular areas (mm2) of the upper second premolars' clinical crowns by RapidSketch(r) software, at all study times. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and the Turkey-Krammer test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was observed, in the final sample of 30 individuals, that at T0, the control and treatment groups were similar. At T14 and T56, a progressive reduction of the clinical crown area was seen in the control group, and an increase in the average area was detected in the experimental group (p < 0,05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of 40% CHX varnish decreases the gingival overgrowth in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Further studies are necessary to set the action time and frequency of application.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pretti
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriella Lopes de Rezende
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Maria Bastos
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lages
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gala-García
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia Silami de
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Allyson Nogueira
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Moreira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019214:Gingival Overgrowth / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000187:drug effects; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine