Long-term effects of chlorhexidine varnish treatment on microbial changes of dental plaque in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances

Chang, Young Il; Yang, Won Sik; Nahm, Dong Seok; Kim, Tae Woo; Baek, Seung Hak

Abstract

The authors observed the long term effects of chlorhexidine varnish treatment on microbial of dental plaque in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances. The initial sample was 100 patients who were arranged to be treated with fixed orthodontic appliances. The final sample consisted of 21 patients who could be traced for 32 weeks after application of fixed orthodontic appliances. They were classified into the experimental group (12 patients) and the control group (9 patients). The experimental group was treated with chlorhexidine varnish once a week for 4 weeks before application of fixed orthodontic appliance. The control group was not treated with chlorhexidine varnish before application of fixed orthodontic appliance. The experimental group was treated once more after 20 weeks. The microbial changes of dental plaque were analysed by indirect immunofluorescence technique at pre-treatment 4, 8, 20, and 32 weeks. The result were as follows. 1. In the experimental group, streptococcus mutans was significantly suppressed during experimental period. (p<0.01) But, in the control group, streptococcus mutans was significantly increased after placement of fixed orthodontic appliances during experiment period. (p<0.05) 2. Streptococcus sanguis, streptococcus mitis, Actinomyces viscosus, and Actinomyces naeslundii did not show significant change between the experimental and the control group during experiment period.