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Supragingival Irrigation with 0.06% Chlorhexidine in Naturally Occurring Gingivitis I. 6 Month Clinical Observations
Author(s) -
Flemmig Thomas F.,
Newman Michael G.,
Doherty Frances M.,
Grossman Eli,
Meckel Alfred H.,
Bakdash M. Bashar
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1990.61.2.112
Subject(s) - chlorhexidine , gingivitis , medicine , irrigation , dentistry , dentifrice , oral hygiene , placebo , fluoride , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , ecology , alternative medicine , pathology , biology
T he purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of supragingival irrigation with 0.06% Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) on naturally occurring gingivitis. The relative benefit of CHX irrigation in comparison with CHX rinsing, water irrigation, and normal oral hygiene was evaluated. In a blind, placebo‐controlled 6‐month study 222 patients were assigned to one of four groups: Group 1: Once daily irrigation with 300 ml water followed by irrigation with 200 ml 0.06% Chlorhexidine gluconate (experimental); Group 2: Twice daily rinsing with 15 ml 0.12% Chlorhexidine (positive control); Group 3: Once daily irrigation with 500 ml water (irrigation control) and Group 4: Sodium fluoride dentifrice for normal oral hygiene only (negative control). All groups used the same sodium fluoride dentifrice for tooth brushing. At baseline, 3 months, and 6 months patients were examined for Gingival Index (GI), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), Plaque Index (PLI), Pocket probing depth (PD), Calculus Index (CI), and stain. After the baseline visit all patients received a supra‐ and subgingival oral prophylaxis. At 6 months GI and BOP were significantly ( P ≤0.05) reduced by adjunctive CHX irrigation (42.5% and 35.4%, respectively), CHX rinse (24.1% and 15.0%), and water irrigation (23.1% and 24.0%) compared to tooth brushing alone. Plaque was significantly ( P ≤0.05) reduced only by CHX irrigation (53.2%) and CHX rinse (43.3%) while calculus and staining were significantly ( P ≤0.05) increased in the two Chlorhexidine groups (276.4% (irrigation) and 273.2% (rinse)). Although significant ( P ≤0.05), pocket probing depth reduction was minimal after CHX irrigation (4.6%). This study demonstrated an enhanced effect of Chlorhexidine on gingivitis when used with this oral irrigator and treatment regimen. Irrigation with water had less than Chlorhexidine irrigation, but significant clinical benefits. Irrigation may increase the access of solutions beneath the gingival margin resulting in improved tissue health. J Periodontol 1990;61:112–117.