Mouthrinses in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.

Although the ideal topical antimicrobial does not exist, some marketed products possess many of the desirable characteristics of such an agent. Antimicrobial agents from a number of different chemical categories are being evaluated continuously. Recent clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of chlorhexidine, stannous fluoride, prebrushing rinses, phenolic compounds, cetylpyridinium chloride, and new agents such as triclosan are described. Other trials involving special patient groups such as the elderly, mentally handicapped, and orthodontic patients, are discussed. Recent articles on alternative roles for topical antimicrobials are also identified.