Comparative evaluation of chlorhexidine and tea tree oil mouthwashes as anti plaque agents – A clinical study Dr. Paul Yash1, Dr. Khuller Nitin2, Dr. Rathore S.3, Dr. Basavaraj P.4,,*, Dr. Singh Shilpi5, Dr. Singla Ashish5 1Professor and Head, Dept of Periodontics, Swami Devi Dyal Dental College, Barwala 2Associate Professor, Dept of Periodontics, Swami Devi Dyal Dental College, Barwala 3Dept of Periodontics, Swami Devi Dyal Dental College, Barwala 4Lecturer, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, DJ Dental College, U.P 5Senior Lecturer, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, DJ Dental College, U.P D.J. College of Dental Sciences & Research, Ajit Mahal, Niwari Road, Modinagar, Ghaziabad *Corresponding Author: Dr. Basavaraj. P, Prof & Head. Dept of public Health Dentistry, D.J. College of Dental Sciences & Research, Ajit Mahal. Niwari Road, Modinagar.
Online published on 25 December, 2013. Abstract Aims and Objectives To compare the efficacy of tea tree oil containing mouthwash with chlorhexidine gluconate (0.2%) mouthrinse as an effective anti-plaque agent. Materials and Methods The study was designed as a randomized, parallel clinical trial, involving 16 volunteers to compare two different mouthwashes, during a 7-day period. After receiving a thorough professional prophylaxis at the baseline, the study participants were divided into two groups. The participants in each group were asked to refrain from all oral hygiene measures and had two daily rinses with 20 ml of the Chlorhexidine mouthwash for Group A and Emoform mouthwash for Group B. These subjects were subsequently recalled on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th day to record the PI scores. PI scores of both the groups were then compared and statistically analysed. Results The results obtained showed that the increments in the mean Plaque Index (PI) values of tea tree oil containing mouthwash were greater than chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% mouthwash. The Plaque index (PI) scores for CHX remained almost constant after day 1, which were found to be statistically not significant while the Plaque Index (PI) scores for Emoform® increased progressively from day 1 to day 6, which were found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion Chlorhexidine is more potent than Emoform® as an anti-plaque agent. Top Keywords Chlorhexidine, tea tree, essential oil, Plaque index. Top |