Effects of octenidine on dental plaque and gingivitis in monkeys.

This investigation monitored the effects of daily oral rinses with octenidine on plaque and gingivitis in five monkeys. Formulations containing 0.5% or 1.0% octenidine or the rinse vehicle placebo were provided daily for 2 weeks. Each week the dentition of each monkey was examined, photographed, and sampled for plaque. All responses exhibited a numerical decrease in mean scores following treatments with each concentration of octenidine, whereas the placebo treatment exerted negligible effects. Decreases in plaque mass were observed after 2 weeks of treatment with 1% octenidine (58%) or 0.5% octenidine (55%) compared with the corresponding baseline values. Similar trends were noted in the extent and thickness of supragingival plaque and its ability to decrease the pH of a sucrose solution. Octenidine treatments reduced the proportions of motile forms in samples of subgingival plaque and also restricted its ability to produce H2S. Slight numerical decreases were seen in the Gingival Index and flow rate of the crevicular fluid. These consistent protective trends suggest that octenidine decreases the pathogenic potential of established plaque.