Clinical Evaluation of Chlorhexidine and Essential Oils’Adjunctive Effects in Subgingival Ultrasonic Instrumentation on Periodontal Parameters and Halitosis

Abstract

The aim of this trial was to establish the clinical efficacy of essential oils (EO) and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) when used as a cooling agent with ultrasonic instrumentation, on periodontal parameters and halitosis. Ninety patients with periodontal disease were divided into the control and test group on a non- bias selection method. All patients completed a questionnaire and standard periodontal outcome variables were assessed. For both groups, the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and clinical attachment level (CAL) scores were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the treatment period. Volatile sulphur compound (VSC) levels were evaluated by a Halimeter (Interscan Corp., Chatsworth, CA, USA) prior to treatment, immediately after treatment, and 7, 14 and 30 days post-treatment. In all the groups periodontal parameter scores decreased throughout the study. Only on the 30th day the difference of PD and CAL scores were statistically significant between the control and the EO treated group. When groups were compared in relation to the VSC values a significant reduction was identified in both EO and CHX groups at the baseline and 30th day. However, the intergroup comparisons of the VSC values showed no significant differences at any time point. Within the limits of this study, ultrasonic mechanical instrumentation is effective for the management of periodontal disease and halitosis. However, using EOs as a cooling agent with ultrasonic devices has little beneficial effects on periodontal parameters when compared control and CHX groups.