CLINICAL BENEFITS OF SUBGINGIVAL CHLORHEXIDINE VARNISH AND GEL APPLICATION AS AN ADJUNCT TO SCALING AND ROOT PLANING

Background: Chemo-mechanical treatment concepts have been developed to improve the outcome of non-surgical periodontal therapy. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of chlorhexidine varnish along with gel application when used as an adjunct to staged scaling and root planing in chronic marginal gingivitis. Method: It was a split mouth study in which 45 patients suffering from in age group 20-24 years with ≥20 teeth, who had inflamed gingiva which bled on probing and had been diagnosed with chronic marginal gingivitis, were selected for the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups using split mouth technique to either Group A − Scaling and root planing (SRP) only-Maxillary left quadrant, Group B – SRP + chlorhexidine varnish + gel (Maxillary right quadrant) or Group C – chlorhexidine varnish + gel (Mandibular right quadrant). Chlorhexidine varnish (cervitec plus) application was carried out at the cervical margin of the tooth followed by daily application of chlorhexidine gel for 6 days. Varnish and gel were reapplied again for another week in Group B and Group C whereas in Group A only SRP was done. The clinical parameters plaque index and gingival index were analyzed at baseline, 1 and 2 weeks follow up. Results: After 2 weeks there was statistically significant reduction in all clinical parameters in group B as compared to group A and group C. Group A also has significant reduction in all clinical parameters as compared to group C. Conclusion: Results indicate that a varnishimplemented strategy together with scaling and root planing is more effective for the treatment of chronic gingivitis in comparison with SRP alone.