[Ultrasonic root cleansing with 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate as a coolant]

In 10 patients with marginal periodontitis a systemic periodontal treatment approach was employed in which the root surfaces were cleansed by exclusive use of ultrasound. The effect of 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate as a cooling medium during the application of ultrasound was studied in a cross over design study. PI, GI, SBI and the probing depths at 6 sites per tooth as well as the clinical attachment levels were the parameters for evaluating the treatment effect. An improvement of the clinical findings was observed during initial treatment both in the test and the control group. Except for PI, which was better after chlorhexidine gluconate application, no obvious differences could be found.