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The effect of chlorhexidine varnish on root caries: a systematic review
D E Slot1, N C Vaandrager, C Van Loveren
1Department of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d.slot@acta.nl
Objective:
The aim of this study was to systematically review the present literature on the effect of chlorhexidine varnish (CHX-V) on root caries.
Materials And Methods:
The MEDLINE-PubMed, the Cochrane-CENTRAL and EMBASE databases were searched through December 2010 to identify any appropriate studies. Root caries incidence and root caries activity were selected as outcome variables.
Results:
An independent screening of the unique titles and abstracts of 24 MEDLINE-PubMed, 14 Cochrane-CENTRAL and 18 EMBASE papers resulted in 6 publications that met the eligibility criteria. Data extraction provided no conclusive evidence that the application of CHX-V is effective in patients when regular professional oral prophylaxis is performed. If effective, the 40% CHX-V was found to provide a benefit over a control or fluoride varnish. CHX-V at lower concentrations (1 and 10%) may provide protection against root caries in high-risk patients (such as geriatric and xerostomia patients) in the absence of regular professional oral prophylaxis.
Conclusion:
Within the limitations of this review, it may be concluded that in the absence of regular professional tooth cleaning and oral hygiene instructions, CHX-V may provide a beneficial effect in patients in need of special care. The strength of this recommendation is graded as 'weak'.
