Research paper Clinical effects of 2% chlorhexidine gel on patients undergoing orthodontic treatment Abdolreza Jamilian a, *, Mahmood Ghasemi b , Dariush Gholami c , Bita Kaveh a a Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran b Department of Periodontics, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran c Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran 1. Introduction The presence of plaque is a key factor in most forms of periodontal disease [1]. Orthodontic appliances prevent the removal of plaque by brushing, mastication and salivary flow. It is difficult to maintain good oral hygiene when orthodontic bands, wires and ligatures are placed [2]. The development of gingivitis within 1–2 months after the placement of fixed orthodontic appliances has been reported [3]. Some authors have also noted slight attachment loss 2 years after the removal of fixed orthodontic appliances when patients have not been continually motivated regarding oral hygiene [4,5]. orthodontic waves 67 (2008) 162–166 article info Article history: Received 25 April 2008 Received in revised form 4 July 2008 Accepted 7 July 2008 Published on line 26 August 2008 Keywords: Chlorhexidine gel Gingival bleeding Periodontal pocket depth Orthodontics abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term clinical effects of a single intrasulcular injection of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel (CG) and placebo gel (PG) in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances and established gingivitis aged from 12 to 20 years. Methods and materials: 50 patients (31 females and 19 males) as subjects were divided into two groups (CG and PG). This study was single-blind randomized split mouth clinical trial. As randomly assigned by coin toss, the first permanent molars on the right or left side of the mouth received either CG or PG. Probing depth (PD) was measured with a Michigan 0 probe. The gingival index (GI) of Lo ¨ e and Silness and papilla bleeding index (PBI) of Mu ¨ hlemann were recorded on the first permanent molars. These indices were measured at baseline, and in treatment on 2nd, 4th, 8th, and the 12th weeks. t-Test and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Results: t-Test showed that PD was reduced in experimental group in comparison with the control group in the 4th week and following intervals ( p < 0.001). Chi-square showed that PBI was improved in experimental group in comparison with the control group in the 2nd week and following intervals ( p < 0.001). The same test showed that GI was improved in experimental group in the 2nd week and following intervals ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: The data indicate that the use of a single application of 2% CG was effective in reducing gingivitis related to banded first permanent premolars in adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment in short time. # 2008 Elsevier Ltd and the Japanese Orthodontic Society. All rights reserved. * Corresponding author at: No. 1479, Vali Asr Street, Tehran 1966843133, Iran. Tel.: +98 21 22011892; fax: +98 21 22022215. E-mail address: info@jamilian.net (A. Jamilian). available at www.sciencedirect.com journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/odw 1344-0241/$ – see front matter # 2008 Elsevier Ltd and the Japanese Orthodontic Society. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.odw.2008.07.001