A short-term evaluation of a chlorhexidine gel on plaque deposits and gingival status.

A gel containing 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate was tested for its ability to affect plaque formation and the gingival status of twelve male dental students in a controlled double-blind cross-over study. The chlorhexidine gel significantly reduced plaque formation when compared with the placebo gel, but the improvement in gingival health was not statistically significant.