Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate microscopically the effect of topically applied 2% chlorhexidine gluconate on the healing of gingival wounds in dogs.

One week after the teeth were scaled and polished, seven experimental wound sites were prepared in the facial gingiva adjacent to the four premolars on each side of the maxillary arch in six young Labrador dogs. From this point the dogs were fed a soft plaque-inducing diet. Chlorhexidine solution was applied daily to either the right or left maxillary premolars while on the opposite side of the arch in three dogs the first and second premolars were similarly treated with saline solution while the third and fourth premolars were mechanically cleansed with a rubber cup. This procedure was reversed in the other three dogs. Forty-two days later biopsies from within the identical areas were taken for histologic examination.

Three representative sections of each biopsy were evaluated microscopically at 450X magnification using an ocular grid divided into four equal squares. An inflammatory-involvement percentage score was obtained for each section by counting the number of squares containing identifiable extravascular inflammatory cells in the connective tissue, and dividing by the total number of connective tissue squares. The mean percentage inflammation score for all chlorhexidine treated teeth was 21.38 while the mean for all of the corresponding mechanically cleansed teeth was 38.07. These values were 21.20 and 45.20 respectively for corresponding chlorhexidine and saline treated teeth. The difference in both groups was statistically significant.

The following conclusions were drawn: two percent chlorhexidine gluconate had a beneficial effect on healing gingival wounds (less inflammation) when compared to mechanical tooth cleansing or saline solution; and, no gingival wound treated with 2% chlorhexidine demonstrated a "zero" degree of microscopic inflammation.

LLU Discipline

Periodontics

Department

Periodontics

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

G. Conrad Hornbuckle

Second Advisor

Jan Egelberg

Third Advisor

Richard C. Oliver

Fourth Advisor

W. Eugene Rathbun

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1972

Date (Title Page)

6-1972

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Gingival Diseases; Chlorhexidine

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vii; 30

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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