Xanthan-based chlorhexidine gel effects in non-surgical periodontal therapy? A meta-analysis

Mensi Magda; Antonino Palazzolo; Gianluca Garzetti; Diego Lops; Stefano Calza; Matteo Rota

doi:10.1111/odi.14956

Xanthan-based chlorhexidine gel effects in non-surgical periodontal therapy? A meta-analysis

Oral Dis. 2024 Apr 24. doi: 10.1111/odi.14956. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Mensi Magda¹, Antonino Palazzolo², Gianluca Garzetti¹, Diego Lops², Stefano Calza³, Matteo Rota³

Affiliations

¹ Section of Periodontics, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Science and Public Health, School of Dentistry, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
² Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Dental Clinic, School of Dentistry, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
³ Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.

PMID: 38654640
DOI: 10.1111/odi.14956

Abstract

Objective: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing scaling and root planing (SRP) or placebo with subgingival application of xanthan-based CHX (chlorhexidine) gel as adjunct to SRP.

Materials and methods: The literature search was carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS; primary outcomes were probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction and gain in clinical attachment level (CAL).

Results: Overall, 15 studies were included. Three studies were judged to be at moderate risk of bias while the remaining 12 were rated at high risk of bias. A significant improvement in PPD reduction (standardized mean difference, SMD, 0.87, 95% CI, 0.41-1.34) and CAL gain (SMD = 0.84, 95% CI, 0.36-1.33) emerged for the SRP + CXH gel compared to the SRP alone group, in the presence of significant high heterogeneity among the studies.

Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that xanthan-based chlorhexidine gel as adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy gives benefit in terms of PPD reduction and CAL gain as compared to non-surgical periodontal therapy only. Since there was high heterogeneity among studies and the quality of the evidence is low, further studies characterized by a better methodology, adequate sample size and longer follow-up are warranted in the next future.

Registration: The protocol of this scoping review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO) with ID: CRD42023391589.

Keywords: non‐surgical therapy; periodontitis; xanthan‐based chlorhexidine gel.

Publication types

Review