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Preventive Dentistry Restorative Dentistry

Could Chlorhexidine varnish be effective in preventing root caries?

This summary is based on the Critical Summary published in the Journal of the American Dental Association: Use of chlorhexidine varnish to prevent root caries may benefit some patients (September 2013)

Clinical Question

The critical summary was in response to the following question: “Does the application of CHX-V reduce the incidence or activity of root caries in adult patients with gingival recession compared with that in adult patients who do not receive CHX-V application?”

Key Message

Chlorhexidine varnish (CHX-V) may be effective in preventing root caries in the absence of regular professional tooth cleaning and oral hygiene instructions for patients who need special care.

Clinical Implications

Although the authors of the systematic review concluded that application of CHX-V in the absence of professional cleaning is effective for patients who
need special care, the conclusion is based on a single study of 11 participants. Thus, the evidence for this specific application is weak. 

Do you have any particular question on this topic? Do you have any comments or suggestions? Email us at oasisdiscussions@cda-adc.ca

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1 Comment

  1. Larry Flagg October 29, 2013

    I recall Chlorzoin in the early 1990s. I thought it was a good product. It was sold with a Strep mutans test. In my opinion, meticulous attention to prevention does succeed very well for motivated patients. It’s very satisfying to watch prevention work for a specific individual. For the majority of patients we see success in our restorative dentistry. Our preventive efforts are diluted over so many patients we don’t get to see our “statistics”.
    Keep handing out toothbrushes. Keep reminding people to brush the gumline, use a fluoride toothpaste and stay away from sticky sweets. And if you have an extra minute, show people to floss the whole of both proximal surfaces. “Please please don’t just flick floss through the contact!!!”

    Reply

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