Effect of an antibacterial dental varnish on the levels of prostanoids, leukotriene B4, and interleukin-1 beta in gingival crevicular fluid.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a chlorhexidine/thymol-containing dental varnish on the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). The material consisted of 15 adolescents undergoing treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances. Four buccal sites adjacent to bands or brackets and exhibiting a mild chronic gingival inflammation were selected in the upper quadrants of each patient. According to a split-mouth technique, the first and second quadrants were randomly treated with either a varnish (Cervitec) containing 1% chlorhexidine diacetate and thymol (CHX/thymol) or a placebo varnish without active ingredients. The varnishes were applied immediately after the baseline registration, and follow-up examinations were carried out after 3, 8, and 30 days. GCF was sampled with the aid of a paper strip and the volume was determined using a Periotron 8000. The concentrations of PGE2, PGI2, LTB4, and IL-1 beta in GCF were assessed using radioimmunoassay and ELISA techniques. The results unveiled statistically significant reductions of PGE2, PGI2, and LTB4 levels in GCF following the active varnish treatment when compared to baseline values. A slight drop in IL-1 beta levels was registered after both active and placebo varnish applications, but the differences were not significant. The results suggest that treatment with an antibacterial varnish decreases the levels of inflammatory mediators PGE2, PGI2, and LTB4 in gingival crevicular fluid and further support the concept that topical application of a CHX/thymol-containing varnish is beneficial in patients with chronic gingival inflammation.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes