Efficacy of chlorhexidine varnish in patients undergoing multibracket fixed orthodontic treatment: A controlled clinical study

During fixed orthodontic treatment, maintenance of a good gingival health is challenging. This necessitates use of prophylactic measures, such as use of fluoridated tooth pastes and application of varnish. Use of chlorhexidine (CHX) varnish, is believed to reduce the bacterial count and have a longer duration of action, by virtue of sustained release. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to assess the clinical effects of chlorhexidine varnish (Cervitec plus) on plaque accumulation and gingival health during multibracket orthodontic treatment. 26 patients were selected for the prospective clinical study. The study design was a split-mouth pattern, with contralateral sides serving as control. Application of CHX varnish was done twice, in a 12 week interval. Plaque and gingival indices were recorded before the application and at a 4 week interval. Using students T-test, comparative analysis between the control and CHX group was done. A significant reduction, in CHX group, in the gingival and plaque scores at 3 and 6 months after the first visit as compared to the baseline value. The control group showed an increase in the gingival and plaque scores at 0-3 and 0- 6 months interval. There was no significant reduction in gingival scores between 3 and 6 months in test (CHX) group. Chlorhexidine varnish brought about both significant reduction in gingival and plaque index scores over a period of 6 months when compared to the control. Second application of varnish did not bring about significant reduction in gingival and plaque scores when compared to control group. Published by Oriental Scientific Publishing Company