Adjunctive use of an ethyl lauroyl arginate-(LAE-)-containing mouthwash in the nonsurgical therapy of periodontitis: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: This randomized clinical trial evaluated the clinical and microbiological effects of 0.147% ethyl lauroyl arginate (LAE)-containing mouthwash compared to 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash in the treatment of periodontitis.

Methods: Subjects were randomized to use 0.147% LAE and 0.12% CHX mouthwash after professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) twice daily 1 hour after brushing for 4 weeks. Periodontal pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (FMBS) and dental plaque (FMPS) were measured at baseline, 4 weeks and 3 months. Microbiological samples were taken at baseline, at 4 weeks and 3 months after plaque recording and prior to PPD and BoP measurements.

Results: Forty subjects were randomized to treatment. Both therapies resulted in reduced FMPS, FMBS and residual pockets at 4 weeks and 3 months. The differences were not statistically significant. There were no treatment-related adverse events. Total bacterial count and the specific pathogens were reduced at 4 weeks and 3 months by both mouthwashes with no statistical differences between them at neither period of time.

Conclusions: A mouthwash containing 0.147% LAE could be an alternative to the use of 0.12% CHX in the non-surgical therapy of periodontitis considering the similar clinical effects, more stable microbiological improvement and absence of adverse effects.