Plaque control with chlorhexidine and D-301, a quaternary ammonium compound

Eighteen female dental hygiene students took part in a double-blind, crossover clinical trial of equimolar (2.2 mmol) rinsing solutions of D-301, a quaternary ammonium compound and chlorhexidine digluconate, Rinsings were partly supervised, test periods were 7 days (5 days without oral hygiene) with a 1-week interval. Plaque formation was significantly reduced by both test solutions versus the control; on not precleaned tooth surfaces plaque formation was equally inhibited by the chlorhexidine and D-301 mouthrinses. On precleaned surfaces D-301 significantly inhibited plaque formation compared with the control rinse, but was less effective than chlorhexidine. There was no significant change in the PBI, a measure of gingival inflammation, during any of the test period. Staining of teeth and tongue was judged as equal after chlorhexidine and D-301 use. Reports of taste and gastric disturbances were minimal but more frequent during the D-301 test period.