Efficacy of a low-concentration chlorhexidine mouth rinse in non-compliant periodontitis patients attending a supportive periodontal care programme: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical and microbiological efficacy of a 0.05% chlorhexidine and 0.05% cetyl-pyridinium chloride mouth rinse in supportive periodontal care (SPC) in patients with inadequate plaque control.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis under SPC with an inadequate plaque control (Turesky index >1). After supragingival prophylaxis and oral hygiene reinforcement, participants rinsed twice a day for 3 months with the test or placebo solutions, in addition to conventional hygiene. Primary clinical outcome variables included plaque and gingival indices. As secondary outcomes, periodontal and microbiological variables were studied. ancova and chi(2) tests were used to compare the variables.

RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (22 placebo and 25 test group) participated. After 3 months, plaque levels increased in the placebo group, while diminished in the test group (p<0.001). Similar effects were found for bleeding on probing. The other clinical parameters did not show significant differences. Microbiological variables demonstrated inter-group significant reductions in subgingival counts of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia and a decrease of the total bacterial counts in saliva.

CONCLUSIONS: The tested mouth rinse demonstrated efficacy in reducing plaque and gingivitis, as well as in decreasing the microbial load in saliva and gingival sulcus.