ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the antiplaque and antigingivitis effect of Copaifera sp (Cp). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-three subjects participated in a randomized controlled clinical trial using a 21-day, partial-mouth experimental model of gingivitis. A custom tooth shield was fabricated for each subject to prevent the brushing of the four experimental posterior teeth in the lower-left quadrant. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the control group (using a placebo gel) or the test group (using the test gel containing 10% Cp). RESULTS: The clinical results showed statistically significant differences for plaque (PLI), bleeding (BI), and gingival (GI) indexes at days 0 and 21 in both groups (p<0.05). However, on day 21 there was no statistically significant difference between groups for all indexes (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The test gel containing 10% Cp did not prevent plaque formation and development of gingivitis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Several medicinal herbs are used empirically by persons in the treatment and prevention of oral conditions. Research in this area must be encouraged to determine which herbal agents would be a useful addition to the current range of chemotherapeutic periodontal treatment options.
