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Efficacy of a 0.5% chlorhexidine gel on the control of gingivitis in Brazilian mentally handicapped patients
Author(s) -
Pannuti C. M.,
Saraiva M. C.,
Ferraro A.,
Falsi D.,
Cai S.,
Lotufo R. F. M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-051x.2003.00299.x
Subject(s) - interdental consonant , medicine , gingivitis , dentistry , chlorhexidine , placebo , statistical significance , cleanser , alternative medicine , pathology
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 0.5% chlorhexidine gel on the reduction of interdental gingival bleeding. Material and Methods: Forty‐three mentally handicapped subjects, living in an institution (Casas André Luiz, Brazil), were enrolled in a double‐blind randomised clinical trial. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: test (chlorhexidine gel) and control (placebo gel). The gel was applied with trays, twice a day, over a period of 8 weeks. The interdental bleeding index (IBI) was recorded before and after the period in which the gel was used. Results: Statistical analysis showed that baseline IBI scores were similar ( p =0.82) for test and control groups (55.6% and 54.5%, respectively). After 8 weeks, a statistically significant ( p <0.001) decrease in IBI means took place in the test group (33.2%). The control group presented a small increase (60.6%) in IBI scores. The difference between groups was significant at the end of the study ( p <0.001). Conclusion: The results indicated that the use of a 0.5% chlorhexidine gel was effective in reducing interdental gingival bleeding in special patients.