Optimal dosage and method of delivering chlorhexidine solutions for the inhibition of dental plaque

The study evaluated the effect of increasing the amount of rinse solution upon the concentration of chlorhexidine needed to control plaque formation, compared the application of chlorhexidine with an oral irrigator to normal rinsing, and examined the amount of staining caused by the various dosages. Forty‐four dental students were divided into 7 groups which each used different volumes (700, 400, 200, applied with an oral irrigator and 200, 100, 50 and 20 ml used with normal rinsing). On a rotational basis, the individuals tested all concentrations (0, .01, .025, .05, .075, .1, .15 and .2 per cent) once during each 9 day test period of suspended oral hygiene. The plaqoe accumulation was. assessed at the end of each trial period according to the criteria of the Plaque Index system. Each lest period was separated by 5 days of normal oral hygiene. The study has shown that if larger volumes are used much lower concentrations of chlorhexidine are necessary, plaque inhibition in the posterior portion of the oral cavity is better with an irrigator than with normal rinsing and that staining is less with large volumes of dilute concentrations than with small volumes of stronger concentrations.