Comparison of clinical effectiveness of single and multiple applications of 1% chlorhexidine varnish (Cervitec Plus) along with scaling and root planing in patients with chronic periodontitis

Background: Local drug delivery is most commonly used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) for the treatment of periodontal disease. Varied success rates have been documented for various vehicles used for intrasite delivery of active therapeutic agents. Recently, varnishes acting as a reservoir of chlorhexidine have shown potential for the management of chronic periodontitis patients. The aim of the present investigation was a comparative evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of single and multiple applications of 1% chlorhexidine and thymol varnish (Cervitec Plus) along with SRP in patients with chronic periodontitis.

Materials and methods: The present study included 30 patients with chronic periodontitis divided into three groups based on the number of subgingival applications of chlorhexidine varnish single application (Group A), two applications at a week's interval (Group B), and three applications with 7-day interval in between two applications (Group C). Clinical parameters, namely plaque index (PI), sulcus bleeding index, probing pocket depth (PPD), and relative attachment level (RAL) were recorded at baseline, 1 month and 3 months in all three groups to compare the clinical efficacy.

Results: A statistically significant reduction was observed in PI, sulcus bleeding index, PPD, and RAL at 1 and 3 months in all the three groups. Greater (though statistically nonsignificant) improvements were observed in Groups B and C.

Conclusion: Within limitations of the study, it can be concluded that multiple applications of 1% chlorhexidine and thymol varnish (Cervitec Plus) have an added benefit over the single application in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.