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Chemotherapeutic agents for controlling plaque and gingivitis
1Center for Clinical Research in Dentistry, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, New York.
Journal of Clinical Periodontology
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Chemical agents can supplement mechanical plaque control to prevent oral disease. Chlorhexidine gluconate and essential oils are approved antiseptics, while others require further study.
Area of Science:
- Oral health
- Periodontology
- Antimicrobial agents
Background:
- Mechanical plaque control is patient-dependent and can be supplemented by chemical agents.
- Five categories of agents are explored: antiseptics, antibiotics, enzymes, dispersing agents, and attachment inhibitors.
- Clinical evaluation uses plaque and gingivitis scores, with safety assessed via soft tissue and microbiologic examination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review chemical agents for plaque control and oral disease prevention.
- To assess the efficacy and safety of various anti-plaque agents.
- To explore future directions in developing targeted antibacterial agents.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on chemical agents for plaque control.
- Clinical evaluation of antiseptic efficacy using plaque and gingivitis scoring.
- Assessment of agent safety through soft tissue and microbiologic examinations.
Main Results:
- Chlorhexidine gluconate and essential oil combinations are approved by the American Dental Association based on long-term studies.
- Cetylpyridinium chloride, zinc/copper salts, sanguinarine, octenidine, and stannous fluoride show promise in short-term studies.
- Newer agents targeting bacterial attachment are under development.
Conclusions:
- Approved antiseptic agents provide effective plaque and gingivitis control.
- Further research is needed for agents like cetylpyridinium chloride and stannous fluoride.
- Targeted antibacterial agents interfering with bacterial attachment represent a future direction, but their impact on gingivitis requires more data.