Effects of post-surgical cleansing protocols on early plaque control in periodontal and/or periimplant wound healing.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this RCT was to evaluate early wound healing following specific post-surgical care protocols.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Following periodontal flap surgery, 60 patients were randomly assigned to follow one of two post-surgical protocols. Subjects smoking >20 cigarettes per day were excluded. Patients following the control protocol rinsed twice daily for 1 min with 0.1% of chlorhexidine (CHX) for 4 weeks. In addition to CHX rinsing, patients assigned to the test protocol applied CHX locally using a special very soft surgical toothbrush (Chirugia) from days 3 to 14, and a soft toothbrush (Ultrasuave) from days 14 to 28, twice daily. Baseline measurements included gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) flow rate, probing depth, probing attachment level, presence of bleeding on probing and full-mouth plaque score. Measurements were repeated at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS: Both post-surgical protocols resulted in successful wound healing and optimal wound closure at 4 weeks. There were no statistical differences in the GCF flow rate between test and control protocols. There was a lower incidence of recession of > or =2 mm following the test protocol.

CONCLUSION: The use of specific post-surgical cleansing protocols including the introduction of mechanical cleansing at day 3, using local application of CHX in addition to daily rinsing with CHX may be recommended.