Mjm. Schaeken et al., EFFECT OF CHLORHEXIDINE VARNISH ON ACTINOMYCES-NAESLUNDII GENOSPECIESIN PLAQUE FROM DENTAL FISSURES, Caries research, 30(1), 1996, pp. 40-44
This study describes the effects of varnish containing 40% chlorhexidi
ne diacetate on Actinomyces naeslundii populations in plaque from huma
n molar fissures. In each of 15 subjects two dental fissures with high
levels of mutans streptococci were selected. The experimental treatme
nt consisted of the single application of a small amount of chlorhexid
ine varnish onto the selected fissures. The varnish was removed 15 min
after application. One month after varnish application a significant
increase was observed in A. naeslundii counts while the number of muta
ns streptococci had decreased significantly compared with preexperimen
tal levels. From 85 randomly selected Actinomyces isolates taken from
blood agar plates before varnish application, 44% belonged to A. naesl
undii genospecies 1 and 56% to A. naeslundii genospecies 2. From 106 i
solates taken 1 month after chlorhexidine varnish application, 42% bel
onged to A. naeslundii genospecies 1 and 58% to A. naeslundii genospec
ies 2. At baseline 28% of A. naeslundii genospecies 1 strains were cat
alase-positive, but 1 month after varnish application 4% of the strain
s were catalase-positive (p<0.05). It is concluded that chlorhexidine
varnish application caused an increase of A. naeslundii in dental plaq
ue, but induced no significant changes in the distribution of the two
A. naeslundii genospecies.