Short-term anti-plaque effect of two chlorhexidine varnishes.

Background: Chlorhexidine (CHX) varnishes have been mainly used for the prevention of caries in high-risk populations. Reports regarding their anti-plaque effect on a clinical level are limited to non-existing as opposed to their microbiological impact on plaque formation.

Aim: The aim of this preliminary investigation was to evaluate the anti-plaque effect of two CHX varnishes applied on sound enamel in relation to a positive control, a negative control and to one another.

[Chlorhexidine varnishes in dentistry].

Since the discovery of chlorhexidine as a potential surface antiseptic in the fifties, it has been abundantly used in different kinds of dental pharmaceutics. During the past decade chlorhexidine containing varnishes have been added to this list. These products present several advantages in comparison to the existing chlorhexidine formulations.