Background: Postsurgical mouthwashes are routinely used in clinical studies and also in daily clinical practice. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) has long been the gold standard for supra-gingival chemical plaque control regimens. Amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) formulations have also been extensively studied and shown to have an antibacterial effect and be useful as antiplaque agents. The antibacterial effect of AmF/SnF2 and its minimal extrinsic tooth staining make it a possible alternative to CHX as an adjunct to periodontal surgical therapy. The aim of this double-blind, controlled clinical trial was to evaluate and compare the combined effect of an AmF/SnF2 or a CHX mouthwash and surgical periodontal therapy on periodontal parameters.
Methods: Thirty-two patients with at least 3 pockets > or =5 mm in the same quadrant were selected for this study, following a hygienic phase of therapy. They were randomized into 2 treatment groups: surgical flap debridement and a postsurgical CHX mouthwash or surgical flap debridement and an AmF/SnF2 postsurgical mouthwash, performed twice daily for 3 weeks. Clinical measurements were taken at baseline and 3 and 12 weeks postsurgery.
Results: Both treatment modalities resulted in significant improvements in probing depth and clinical attachment level. There was no significant difference between groups in any of the recorded parameters. Staining index at week 3 in the CHX group was significantly higher than in the AmF/SnF2 group (P<0.05). However these differences leveled down at 12 weeks.
Conclusions: Our results support the alternative use of an AmF/SnF2 mouthwash in plaque control management of patients following flap debridement surgery.