Influence of topical application of chlorhexidine on chronic gingivitis and gingival wound healing in the dog

Abstract— The present study examines the effect of topically applied chlorhexidine gluconate on chronically inflamed gingiva and standardized gingival wounds. Five beagle dogs were fed a soft "gingivitis inducing" diet for a period of 5 months. Subsequently, a 2 % chlorhexidine solution was applied daily for 42 days to the left molars, premolars, and canines of three dogs, the corresponding teeth in the right quadrants serving as controls. The degree of gingivitis, plaque, gingival exudation, and number of crevicular leukocytes were assessed on days 0, 11, 28, 35, and 42. The healing after gingival biopsy was studied in two dogs using the same parameters on days 0, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 42. In one of the dogs chlorhexidine was applied daily to the teeth and gingiva; the other dog had saline treatment. Biopsies for histologic examination were obtained at the beginning and the end of the experiment. From these criteria, it was shown that one daily topical application of 2 % chlorhexidine gluconate to the teeth and gingiva of the dog removes plaque and resolbes a well-established chronic gingivitis. It is concluded that in the dog it is passible through topical applications of chlorhexidine to establish and maintain a plaque- and gingivitis-free dentition.