EFFECT OF 0.2% CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE ON GINGIVAL HEALTH AMONG ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS- A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the eff ect of chlorhexidine mouthwash on gingival health in orthodontic patients using manual brushing as a control in terms of reduction in gingival and bleeding indices scores.Methods and materials: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on August 2021 to December 2021 at Department of Orthodontics, Bacha Khan Dental College, and Hospital Mardan. A sample size of 50 orthodontic patients divided into two groups. Group A (experimental) and enrolled 25 participant ,and Group B (control) enrolled 25 participants used non-probability convenient sampling technique. Group A used chlorhexidine mouth wash along with manual brushing while in group B the participants maintained oral hygiene with manual brushing only. Patient’s age between 12 to 35 years, undergoing fi xed orthodontic treatment, with no anterior composite restorations and no decalcifi cation of teeth were included. At baseline and after period of one month the gingival and bleeding indices were recorded. Comparison of mean gingival and bleeding indices score was done between both groups using Paired T test. P≤0.05 was considered significant.Results: The mean gingival index score was less in cases using Chlorhexidine (1.77±0.75) than control group (2.19±0.52) statistically signifi cantly (P=0.026, 95% CI =0.053, 0.786). Similar results were found for bleeding index (P=0.034, 95% CI =0.027, 0.670). The females (n=29, 58%) were more than males (n=21, 42%). The mean age was 19.94±4.48 years with range from 13 to 34 years. The comparison of age (P=0.066), baseline gingival index (P=0.397) and bleeding index (0.377) were not diff erent statistically.Conclusion: Chlorhexidine mouth wash additional to the daily oral hygiene regimen can reduce gingivitis in orthodontic patients.