EFFECT OF LOCAL APPLICATION OF DELMOPINOL HYDROCHLORIDE ON DEVELOPINGAND EARLY ESTABLISHED SUPRAGINGIVAL PLAQUE IN HUMANS

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of delmopinol hydro chloride on the development of dental plaque and on newly established plaque. In addition, tile influence of this compound on the compositio n of the microbiota colonizing the gingival mucous membrane was studie d. 14 healthy male volunteers took part. After a 3 weeks pre-experimen tal period of intense oral hygiene, the participants refrained from al l oral hygiene for 14 days, The buccal surfaces of cuspids and bicuspi ds on one side of the jaws were treated with a 1% aqueous solution of delmopinol hydrochloride (applied with a paint brush) 2X a day for 7 d ays, while the contralateral side received placebo solution. On day 7, the application procedures were changed in that the test compound was applied on the teeth previously treated with placebo and vice versa. Plaque development was assessed clinically and by photo-based planimet ric determination. The clinical recordings revealed that 89.3% of the placebo-treated surfaces displayed visible plaque on day 7, compared t o 6.0% of the delmopinol hydrochloride treated surfaces. Delmopinol hy drochloride treatment of the previously placebo-treated surfaces resul ted in a decrese in the number of surfaces with visible plaque from 89 .3% on dau 7 to 6% on day 14. These results were confirmed by the plan imetric data, No significant change in the composition of the mucosal flora eras observed during the experimental period, Tile present resul ts indicate that delmopinol hydrochloride markedly reduces the formati on of dental plaque on a clean tooth surface exposed to conditions whi ch favour bacterial colonization. Furthermore, the substance appears t o possess plaque-dissolving properties.