Effects of a 1% chlorhexidine gel during the healing phase after inverse bevel mucogingival flap surgery.

A split-mouth double-blind trial was designed to compare the effects of chlorhexidine and placebo gels during the healing phase following mucogingival flap surgery. Fifteen patients were treated with 30 inverse bevel flap procedures, one on each side of the maxilla, with an interval of 4 weeks between each procedure. Gel was applied to the gums using a toothbrush once daily. Comparison of results revealed no significant differences in Plaque Index, Gingival Index, crevicular fluid or depth of pockets. More pain and swelling were recorded on the side treated with placebo gel, and more patients indicated that they preferred the chlorhexidine gel. The results were comparable to previous investigations using penicillin and suggest that, because of the reduced pain and swelling, chlorhexidine gel may be a suitable alternative to penicillin after periodontal flap surgery.