Effects of fluoride- and chlorhexidine-containing varnishes on plaque composition and on demineralization of dentinal grooves in situ

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of Cervitec, containing 1% chlorhexidine (CHX) and 1% thymol, Fluor Protector, containing 0.1% fluorid e. their 1:1 mixture. and a placebo varnish on the percentage of mutans ste ptococci and lactobacilli in plaque and on the underlying dentin deminerali zation, as assessed by microradiography. Bovine dentine discs, fitted with three parallel grooves, received one of the varnish treatments into the fir st groove and on the adjacent part of the dentin surface. Volunteers (n = 2 3) wore the discs fixed to their partial dentures for four consecutive 3 uk periods. Microbiological analysis of plaque accumulated in the grooves sho wed no difference between groups. Fluoride varnishes (Fluor Protector and m ixed E varnish) had a significantly larger inhibitory effect on mineral los s in the treated groove than Cervitec or placebo. All treatment varnishes h ad more pronounced effect in panelists (n = 14) with higher degree of demin eralization (mineral loss in placebo group greater than or equal to 1,200 v ol% x mu m). In these panelists, CHX-containing varnishes showed an inhibit ory effect on demineralization in all grooves. also in the two non-varnishe d grooves, as fluoride varnishes had the largest localized effect on demine ralization, and CHS varnishes were showing a peripheral effect, a combined treatment could be the preferred method to obtain an optimal caries prevent ive effect in caries-prone individuals.