Clinical Effects of a Chlorhexidine-Xanthan Gel as Adjunct to Scaling

Objectives: To assess the clinical outcomes of the application of a xanthan gel with clorhexidine as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP). Methods: Chronic periodontitis patients, with 5-10 isolated pockets after initial therapy or during maintenance, were randomly assigned to the test group (xanthan gel with clorhexidine after SRP), or to the control group (identical placebo gel after SRP). Each subject was evaluated at the initial visit, and one, three and six months after the treatment. At each visit probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque levels were evaluated at the selected teeth. Results were analysed by t-test, both to assess differences between groups and within groups. Results: 22 patients were included in the study, 10 in the test group, and 12 in the placebo group. At baseline, BOP was significantly higher (p<0.02) in the test group. In the test group, after 1 and 6 months, statistically significant improvements were observed in PPD, CAL and BOP, while at 3 months, significant benefits were observed in PPD and BOP. In the control group, statistically significant differences in BOP were found at all three follow-up visits. The 6-month mean reductions in PPD in the test and control groups were 0.32 (±0.26) mm and 0.22 (±0.52) mm, respectively. The corresponding figures for CAL changes were 0.29 (±0.34) mm and 0.01 (±0.87) mm, respectively. Intergroup differences were only found in changes in BOP after 3 months, favouring the test group. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the limited sample size, the adjunctive use of the evaluated product could improve the clinical outcomes in localised periodontal pockets. Supported by Guimas.