Effect of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish on root caries in a geriatric population: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the effect of Cervitec, a chlorhexidine-thymol varnish, on root caries. Our objective was to determine whether a 3-monthly application of Cervitec over 1 year would limit the progress of existing root caries lesions and reduce the incidence of dental root caries in a group of dentate institutionalized elderly, as a complement to their usual oral hygiene practices. METHODS: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in 68 subjects (34 per group) in two residences in Almería (Spain). Twenty-one subjects with 60 root caries lesions and 25 with 65 lesions, in the Cervitec and placebo groups, respectively, completed the study. Varnishes were applied twice in the first week, 1 month later, and every 3 months until the end of the study. Clinical parameters associated with established lesions were determined at baseline and after 6 and 12 months, as was the incidence of root caries lesions. RESULTS: The clinical evolution of lesions was significantly better in the Cervitec group as opposed to the placebo group in terms of width, height, color, and texture. The increase in root caries was significantly lower (p=0.039) in the Cervitec group. CONCLUSION: According to these results, Cervitec may help to control established root lesions and reduce the incidence of root caries lesion among institutionalized elderly.

Efficacy of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish (Cervitec) against plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in a geriatric population.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the 3-monthly application of chlorhexidine (CHX)-thymol varnish is an effective method of controlling plaque and gingivitis in a group of institutionalised elderly as a complement to their usual oral hygiene practices. DESIGN: A 6-month double-blind clinical trial. SETTING: Two residential homes in Almería (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-six dentate subjects aged above 64 years who completed the 6-month study. INTERVENTION: The study subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups (Cervitec or placebo). Varnishes were applied twice in the first week of the study and were applied again a month later and every 3 months until the end of the study. The patients continued with their usual oral hygiene practices throughout the study. MEASUREMENT: Plaque index and gingival index scores were determined at baseline and after 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Treatment with Cervitec varnish had a statistically significant effect overtime on the gingival index score (p = 0.029), but not on the plaque index score (p = 0.651). The groups did not significantly differ in reductions in plaque or gingival index scores between baseline and 1, 3 or 6 months. CONCLUSION: According to these results, Cervitec, a CHX-thymol varnish, does not appear to reduce plaque and gingivitis by a 3-monthly application in the institutionalised elderly with poor oral hygiene. Wider studies are required to investigate different varnishing protocols in geriatric populations.

Effects of 0.2% chlorhexidine spray applied once or twice daily on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in a geriatric population.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chlorhexidine (CHX) spray has proven to be an easily applicable method for the chemical control of plaque in elderly and handicapped patients. A randomized double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled trial was undertaken to compare the effects of 0.2% CHX spray applied once or twice daily on the plaque and gingival indexes in 13 institutionalized elderly patients. METHOD: The study subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. During the first 30-day period, one group received 0.2% chlorhexidine spray twice daily and the other received 0.2% CHX spray once daily plus placebo spray once daily. A washout period of 42 days then followed, after which the groups were interchanged and the process was repeated for another 30-day period. Plaque index and gingival index were determined at the beginning and end of each period. The patients continued with their usual oral hygiene practices throughout the study. RESULTS: A significant reduction in plaque and gingival indexes was produced in both the groups. There were no significant differences in index scores between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that a single-daily application of 0.2% CHX spray is equally as effective in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in institutionalized elderly patients as are two-daily applications of the same spray.