Clinical effects of 2% chlorhexidine gel on patients undergoing orthodontic treatment

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term clinical effects of a single intrasulcular injection of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel (CG) and placebo gel (PG) in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances and established gingivitis aged from 12 to 20 years. Methods and materials: 50 patients (31 females and 19 males) as subjects were divided into two groups (CG and PG). This study was single-blind randomized split mouth clinical trial. As randomly assigned by coin toss, the first permanent molars on the right or left side of the mouth received either CG or PG. Probing depth (PD) was measured with a Michigan 0 probe. The gingival index (GI) of Loe and Silness and papilla bleeding index (PBI) of Mu "hlemann were recorded on the first permanent molars. These indices were measured at baseline, and in treatment on 2nd, 4th, 8th, and the 12th weeks. t-Test and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Results: t-Test showed that PD was reduced in experimental group in comparison with the control group in the 4th week and following intervals (p < 0.001). Chi-square showed that PBI was improved in experimental group in comparison with the control group in the 2nd week and following intervals (p < 0.001). The same test showed that GI was improved in experimental group in the 2nd week and following intervals (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The data indicate that the use of a single application of 2% CG was effective in reducing gingivitis related to banded first permanent premolars in adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment in short time. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd and the Japanese Orthodontic Society. All rights reserved.