Abstract
Question: Is chlorhexidine varnish effective in reducing caries in adults who have reduced salivary flow?
Objective To determine whether chlorhexidine varnish would reduce caries incidence in adults who have reduced salivary flow due to medication.
Design A multicentre randomised controlled trial conducted at three dental schools.
Intervention A two-stage application of either active (10% chlorhexidine), sham (to mimic taste) or placebo varnish treatment was carried out once a week for 4 weeks by a dental hygienist, with a single re-application at 6 months. Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. If patients developed two or more carious lesions in any 2-month period or more than four carious lesions during the study period they were withdrawn.
Outcome measures Caries increment.
Results Of 540 screened patients, 240 were enrolled in study with 236 completing at least on the follow-up visit. Comparison of the active and placebo groups showed a significant reduction (see Table 1) in root caries increment of 41% and 25% in total caries increment. The 14% reduction in coronal caries did not reach clinical significance. A number of transient minor adverse events were noted.
Conclusions The results suggest that 10% chlorhexidine varnish may have an important role to play in the management of dental caries in adults with dry mouth.
Bantin DW, Papas A, Clark DC, Proskin HM, Schultz, Perry R. The effectiveness of 10% chlorhexidine varnish treatment on dental caries incidence in adults with dry mouth. Gerodontol 2000; 17:67–76
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Nyvad, B. Chlorhexidine varnish may have a role in the management of dental caries in adults with dry mouth. Evid Based Dent 3, 53 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400116
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400116