Study of the crevicular fluid flow rate in smokers

The purpose of this study was to investigate if smoking--a risk factor in periodontal disease-affects the crevicular fluid (CF) flow rate. Twenty-nine dental students were included in the control group--non-smokers- (NS) and 34 in the experimental group--smokers- (S). All subjects were enrolled in a rigorous dental hygiene program (RDHP). The Greene-Vermillion plaque index, and L÷e-Silness gingival index (GI) were recorded. CF was obtained and measured with the Periotron 8000. These recordings were made before and after the RDHP. The results show that the CF mean flow rate was slightly lower in the S group than in the NS group, for both recordings. The analysis of the relation between the CF flow rate and the GI recorded in the dental surfaces, revealed a significantly lower flow rate in the S group for GI 1 (p < 0.01) and GI 3 (p < 0.05). The difference observed between the S and NS groups, may be due to the vasoconstrictor action of the cigarette components (nicotine and/or metabolites) on the gingival vasculature.

Preventive action of short-term and long-term chlorhexidine rinses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 0.12

chlorhexidine mouthrinses on the presence of plaque and gingivitis, either used as the only oral hygiene practice during a short period of time (21 days) or associated with routine daily brushing for 180 days. The experimental subjects were 40 dental students of an average age of 20.9 years. Following a thorough examination and mechanical prophylaxis. The subjects were divided into two treatment groups. Twenty subjects stopped all oral hygiene procedures for 21 days except for twice-daily rinses with 0.12

chlorhexidine or a placebo. Plaque, gingivitis scores and oral soft tissue health were recorded on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 for the short term group and on days 0, 90 and 180 of experimentation for the long term group. After 21 days of rinsing, plaque accumulation, gingivitis and bleeding on probing were significantly lower in the chlorhexidine group than in the placebo group. After three and six months of mouthrinses, the chlorhexidine group had less plaque and significantly less gingivitis than the placebo group. No significant differences in adverse oral soft tissue effects were observed between the different groups. It was concluded that a 0.12

chlorhexidine digluconate mouthrinse can provide an important adjunct to the prevention and control of gingivitis when used as the only oral hygiene practice or with regular personal hygiene procedures. The results obtained in this clinical study, using stringent parameters of evaluation with statistic analysis, corroborated the results obtained by other studies.