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Efficacy of chlorhexidine–thymol varnish (Cervitec ® ) against plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in a geriatric population
Author(s) -
Clavero Javier,
Baca Pilar,
Paloma González Mª,
Valderrama Mariano J
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
gerodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1741-2358
pISSN - 0734-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-2358.2006.00085.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gingivitis , oral hygiene , dentistry , chlorhexidine , gingival inflammation , placebo , thymol , varnish , dental plaque , chemistry , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology , chromatography , essential oil , coating
Objectives: To determine whether the 3‐monthly application of chlorhexidine (CHX)–thymol varnish is an effective method of controlling plaque and gingivitis in a group of institutionalised elderly as a complement to their usual oral hygiene practices. Design: A 6‐month double‐blind clinical trial. Setting: Two residential homes in Almería (Spain). Participants: Fifty‐six dentate subjects aged above 64 years who completed the 6‐month study. Intervention: The study subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups (Cervitec ® or placebo). Varnishes were applied twice in the first week of the study and were applied again a month later and every 3 months until the end of the study. The patients continued with their usual oral hygiene practices throughout the study. Measurement: Plaque index and gingival index scores were determined at baseline and after 1, 3 and 6 months. Results: Treatment with Cervitec ® varnish had a statistically significant effect overtime on the gingival index score ( p = 0.029), but not on the plaque index score ( p = 0.651). The groups did not significantly differ in reductions in plaque or gingival index scores between baseline and 1, 3 or 6 months. Conclusion: According to these results, Cervitec ® , a CHX–thymol varnish, does not appear to reduce plaque and gingivitis by a 3‐monthly application in the institutionalised elderly with poor oral hygiene. Wider studies are required to investigate different varnishing protocols in geriatric populations.