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.