PURPOSE

To clarify the antimicrobial efficacy of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) by testing their impact on the growth of seven bacterial strains known to be involved in the pathophysiology of both peri-implant disease and halitosis-Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A time-response growth curve was obtained. Commercial mouthrinses with CPC, ZnCl2, or both were added to the media in a final concentration of 0.25% CPC, 2.5% ZnCl2, and 2.5% ZnCl2 with 0.25% CPC.

RESULTS

Both CPC and ZnCl2 effectively inhibited the growth of almost all bacterial strains tested except T denticola. ZnCl2 was generally more effective in suppressing bacterial growth than CPC. ZnCl2 with CPC showed the greatest inhibitory activities on almost all strains of bacterial growth except for P gingivalis and T denticola, followed by ZnCl2, then CPC, thus suggesting the possibility of a synergistic effect of the two agents. P gingivalis exhibited a different pattern because ZnCl2 showed the most significant inhibitory effect. CPC did not show growth inhibitory effects on T denticola, but ZnCl2 did.

CONCLUSION

Zinc and CPC effectively inhibit bacterial growth that causes both halitosis and peri-implant disease. The effect is even more powerful when applied in combination.