Antiplaque Efficacy of Essential Oils as Compared to Chlorhexidine Gluconate- A Prospective Clinico-Microbiological Study

Abstract

Background: According to Egyptian pictograms and medical records, non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) has been practised for a very long time. Several clinical studies have depicted relevant clinical results when subgingival irrigation was carried out as an adjuvant therapy to SRP. This study aims to compare essential oils as subgingival irrigant agents with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and sterile saline over a period of 21 days. Setting and Design: This is a comparative study of three groups (chlorhexidine group, essential oil group, sterile saline group). Each group had ten patients having chronic periodontitis who were randomly assigned and treated with subgingival irrigants. For, the essential oil group, the irrigant was indigenously prepared at chairside. Material and Methods: Following the initial examination and selection of patients, clinical parameters were noted and collection of plaque samples was done. These samples were then sent for microbiological assay at baseline. SRP was done along with subgingival irrigation at baseline, 7th and 14th day. Clinical parameters were monitored again and plaque samples were sent for microbiological test on the 21st day. Results: There was no significant difference noted between the groups in any of the clinical parameters. However, regarding microbiological parameter, better results were demonstrated in CHX group and essential oil group compared to sterile saline group that was statistically significant. CHX and essential oil group demonstrated no statistical difference. Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that essential oils can be used as a subgingival irrigant in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.