Clinical and spectrophotometric evaluation after chlorhexidine use in periodontal flap surgery: A prospective randomized clinical trial.

Abstract PURPOSE: To evaluate by a clinical spectrophotometric analysis the staining side effect of a 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthrinse containing an anti-discoloration system (ADS) compared with a 0.12% and a 0.2% CHX mouthrinse, after periodontal surgery. The efficacy of the products and the patient's opinion and acceptance were also assessed. METHODS: The study was carried out on 60 subjects scheduled for periodontal flap surgery at the Unit of Periodontology and Dental Hygiene (University of Trieste, Italy). After surgery, the subjects were randomly prescribed to rinse for 1 week with 10 ml of a 0.12% CHX (Group 1), 0.2% CHX (Group 2) or 0.2% ADS CHX (Group 3). Before surgery (TO), 7 days (T1) and 14 days (T2) after surgery, following variables were recorded: gingival parameters at the surgically treated sites (Full-Mouth Plaque Score, Full-Mouth Bleeding Score and Modified Gingival Index), tooth pigmentation measured as AE, patient perception and acceptance of the mouthrinses. RESULTS: 53 subjects completed the study. The difference among treatments related to gingival variables was not statistically significant. No statistical differences were found for dental pigmentation among the mouthrinses over time nor for discomfort at each follow-up examination. A slightly less acceptance rate was observed for 0.2% CHX. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) 0.2% CHX with ADS did not cause less brown pigmentation than the 0.2% CHX or than the 0.12% CHX; (2) 0.2% ADS CHX was as effective as CHX without ADS in reducing gingival signs of inflammation in the post-surgical early healing phase; (3) 0.2% CHX showed the lowest score in terms of taste acceptance compared with 0.12% and ADS CHX.