The effect of 20 ppm ozonated gel and 1 % chlorhexidine gel on plaque index and the number of Streptococcus mutans obtained from dental plaque in children aged 6-12 years: A double-blind randomized clinical trial study

Abstract

Introduction: One of the methods to control dental caries is to use ozone. Since it is difficult for chidden to use mouthwashes, the present study aimed to evaluate 20-ppm zone and 1% chlorhexidine gels’ effects on the plaque index and Streptococcus mutans counts in 6–12-year-old children.

Materials and methods: In the present double-blind clinical trial, 165 children, 6–12 years of age, referring to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry, were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly assigned to three groups: ozone gel, chlorhexidine gel, and control. All the subjects received oral hygiene instructions, and the study gels were tested on them. The subjects were instructed to place an adequate amount of the gels on all the surfaces of their teeth with one clean finger. The educational film was played and submitted to the parents in person. The patients and evaluators were blinded to the study groups. The plaque index and S. mutans counts in plaque samples were determined before intervention and three weeks after intervention on the buccal surface of the most posterior maxillary tooth (left or right). S. mutans counts were determined by culture. Stata 14 was used for statistical analyses using Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, and post hoc Dum tests. Statistical significance was defined at P<0.05.

Results: The 20-ppm ozone and 1% chlorhexidine gels significantly decreased dental plaque compared to the control group (P<0.05), and their effects were similar (P>0.05). These gels significantly decreased the colonies and bacterial counts of S. mutans (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The performance of 20-ppm ozone gel in decreasing the dental plaque and S. mutans counts was similar to 1% chlorhexidine gel.