THE EFFECTS OF A 0.12-PERCENT CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE MOUTHRINSE ON ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS AGED 11 THROUGH 17 WITH ESTABLISHED GINGIVITIS

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CH) mouthrinse, Peridex, on orthodontic patients 11 through 17 years of age with established gingivitis. Thirty-four subjects were divided into two groups (CH and placebo) of 17 subjects each on the basis of gender, and they were evaluated at baseline, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks in a double-blinded manner. The gingival index (GI) of Loe and Silness, the plaque index (PI) of Silness and Loe, the Eastman Interproximal Bleeding Index, and the CWRU staining index were recorded for each subject. The subjects in the CH group, as compared with the placebo group, had statistically significant reductions, expressed as percent reductions against baseline, at the conclusion of this 3-month period: PI = 64.9%, GI = 60.0%, and gingival bleeding = 77.2%. Staining was in the moderate range, and it was concentrated on the mandibular lingual surfaces. Peridex, in combination with mechanical plaque removal, proved to be an important therapeutic agent in controlling gingival inflammation, bleeding, and plaque accumulation in orthodontic patients 11 through 17 years of age with established gingivitis.