The effect of chlorhexidine supplementation in a periodontal dressing.

Most commercial periodontal dressings claiming antibacterial activity lose this activity shortly after application. Chlorhexidine (CH) is an antibacterial agent with long-term activity in the oral cavity owing to its substantiveness and slow-release properties. In a double-blind split-mouth-designed clinical trial the effect of incorporating CH acetate in periodontal dressing was tested on wound healing after gingivectomy. Eleven patients, each needing at least two gingivectomies, constituted the test panel. Wound healing, as assessed by bleeding tendency after removal of dressing 7 days postoperatively was significantly delayed when control dressings were applied as compared with test dressings. Variables with regard to patient comfort also yielded results in favor of the test pack. Incorporation of antibacterial agents with high retention and slow release properties in the mouth in surgical dressings seems advantageous.