1983 Volume 25 Issue 2 Pages 362-370
This clinical study was conducted to evaluate the effect of application of chlorhexidine (CH) paste using an applicator on periodontal disease. Forty patients with inflamed gingiva at least at frontal teeth were divided into 4 groups: (A) Applied 0.05% CH paste using an applicator, (B) Applied 0.05% CH paste with a finger, (C) Applied placebo paste using an applicator, and (D) Applied placebo paste with a finger. The application of each paste was conducted by a double blind method and the patients were indicated to apply the paste once a day for 2 weeks and also instructed to apply the paste into the gingival pocket and between teeth of frontal segments. Clinical assessment of periodontal conditions were performed at the initial and at each end of trial week according to the criteria mentioned in the method.
The results obtained were as follows;
(i) In all 4 groups, the reductions of the plaque score and the pocket depth compared initial values with those at 2nd week were highly significant (p<0.001).
(ii) Similar significant reductions (p<0.01) of the mean gingival scores were revealed in all 4 groups.
(iii) These reductions were significantly greater in group A than in the other groups, and the least in group D.
(iv) The average redness scores were significantly greater (p<0.05) in group C than in group B.
(v) The reductions of the swelling were significantly greater (p<0.001) in group B than in group C during the 1st week, but no significant differences were seen between group B and group C after 2 weeks.
(vi) No remarkable side effect of the use of chlorhexidine was observed for the period.
From those results, it might be mentioned that periodontal disease can be well controlled by application of 0.05% chlorhexidine paste using the applicator as an adjunct to daily toothbrushing.
