Microbiological and clinical effects of an antiseptic dental varnish aftermechanical periodontal therapy

The aim of this study was to explore the microbiological and clinical effec ts of an antiseptic dental varnish when applied to periodontally diseased t eeth after mechanical therapy. 20 subjects participated in this placebo con trolled, double blind prospective longitudinal study. 2 experimental sites with a pocket probing depth greater than or equal to 5 mm were chosen in ea ch subject. The control varnish, consisting of ethanol, ethylacetate and po lyvinylbutyral, was applied to one of the selected teeth and the test varni sh, containing 1% chlorhexidine and 1% thymol in addition, was applied to t he other one. Clinical parameters were assessed, and microbiological sample s were obtained from the two study sites at baseline (6-10 weeks after comp letion of conventional periodontal therapy), and 2, 4 and 12 weeks thereaft er. The mean PLI at baseline was very low and, therefore, only a minimal po tential for a further improvement existed. During the 12-week observation p eriod, the mean PLI increased significantly at sites treated with the place bo varnish, while no similar trend for an increase in PLI was detected in t he test sites. The bleeding tendency seemed to remain unaffected by the app lication of the varnish. On the microbiological level, no relevant differen ces could be detected between placebo and test sites at baseline, or during the follow-up period. In conclusion, the application of a dental varnish w ith antimicrobial properties after mechanical periodontal therapy had littl e effect in subjects with good oral hygiene.