This blind and randomized-controlled trial analysed
chlorhexidine dentifrices in relation to
dental plaque,
gingivitis,
bleeding,
calculus and enamel extrinsic staining development. Volunteers in fixed orthodontic
therapy used the following
dentifrices: 1100 ppmF, NaF (group A, n=27); experimental, 1100 ppmF, NaF and
chlorhexidine 0.95% (group B, n=28); and experimental,
chlorhexidine 0.95% (group C, n=28). At baseline, after 6, 12 and 24 weeks, clinical examinations were carried out. The
gingivitis,
bleeding and plaque data were tested by anova and Tukey's post hoc tests.
Stain and
calculus data were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's post hoc tests (p<0.05). Plaque,
gingivitis and
bleeding scores improved in all three groups, but up to the 6 and 12 weeks examination the products containing
chlorhexidine were statistically better. The
chlorhexidine dentifrices significantly increased the mean of the
stain index, although most of the patients did not notice the stains. The
calculus index was not significantly modified. In summary, this study suggests that the use of
dentifrices containing
chlorhexidine seems to be effective for the treatment of
gingivitis in orthodontic patients, although the intense motivating contact that the volunteers had with the researchers may have also played a role.