Elizabeth Hart

Manikandan, D., Balaji, V., Niazi, T., Rohini, G., Karthikeyan, B., & Jesudoss, P. (2016).

Chlorhexidine varnish implemented treatment strategy for chronic periodontitis:

A clinical and microbial study. ​Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences,​ ​8​, 137.

Chlorhexidine is an antibacterial chemotherapeutic helpful in treating gingivitis and

decreasing the level of bacterial plaque. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a

chlorhexidine varnish with scaling and root planing, versus just scaling and root planing. Eleven

patients were chosen. Patients presented with chronic periodontitis and pocket depths greater

than five millimeters, bleeding on probing, and radiographic bone loss. The patient's mouth was

split in half, left and right side, one side being treated with just scaling and root planing, and the

other side treated with scaling and root planing with subgingival chlorhexidine varnish. The

patients were evaluated a month after each of the therapies were completed. The side of the

mouth with the chlorhexidine varnish and scaling and root planing showed more improvement

than scaling and root planing on its own. There was a reduction in plaque index, gingival index,

and bleeding on probing on both sides of the mouth, but there was a significant reduction in

anaerobic bacteria on the side that received the chlorhexidine varnish. The study determined that

chlorhexidine varnish proved to be beneficial in the treatment of periodontal disease.

In this study, I learned more about chlorhexidine varnish. I did not know it was a product,

but it seems like a beneficial tool for the right patient. In class, we learned that chlorhexidine

proves to be the most effective measure against plaque and gingivitis, reducing the bacteria by
almost half. We also have learned that scaling and root planing on its own is the best defense

against periodontal disease, and if SRP is performed and does not respond to the treatment, then

another procedure with an antibiotic can be utilized. I would consider a chlorhexidine varnish to

be a great post procedural option at a re evaluation appointment to scaling and root planing in my

future career as a dental hygienist. While there are other products that are more common, if an

office I am working in utilized a chlorhexidine varnish, I am prepared in knowing that the

product can be beneficial. As a student, I am still learning different ways to implement

chlorhexidine into my routine with patients, but as far as using it on the clinic floor, I will not

have the availability to do that. This article was over all useful and interesting, although at times

it was hard to read and understand. And I am wondering how accurate half mouth assessments

are because of how saliva circulates in the mouth and could ‘contaminate’ the areas that are not

supposed to receive the chlorhexidine.