Access to subgingival plaque by disclosing agents using mouthrinsing and direct irrigation.

Teeth destined for extraction and exhibiting periodontal pockets had reference grooves cut on the proximal surfaces at the level of the gingival margin. A disclosing agent was then applied either as a mouthrinse or by direct irrigation at the entrance of the pocket. After extraction, the extent of apical penetration of the solution was measured from the reference point. Subsequently, the tooth was stained enabling similar measurements from the reference point to the level of the apical plaque border and the coronal level of the residual periodontal ligament. Analysis of these measurements indicated that neither mouthrinsing nor direct irrigation routinely achieved penetration of the solution to the apical plaque border. While mouthrinsing failed to achieve any significant penetration of pockets, the direct irrigation technique was partially effective. It was concluded that direct irrigation offers promise as a mode of application of chemical agents to subgingival plaque.