Comparative Study Of Clinical Efficacy Of Chlorhexidine And Chlorhexidine Plus Hyaluronic Acid Mouthwashes In Patients Of Chronic Periodontitis

Background: The use of mouthwashes is an irreplaceable aspect of chemical plaque control due to its efficacy, ease of use and patient acceptance. Although chlorhexidine has been considered the gold standard over the years, the efficacy of hyaluronic acid is yet to be substantiated. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of chlorhexidine versus chlorhexidine plus hyaluronic acid mouthwashes in patients of chronic periodontitis. Method: 68 patients, diagnosed with generalized chronic periodontitis, enrolled in study after fulfilling the inclusion criteria, underwent scaling and root planing (SRP). After which, patients in the control group (n=34) were prescribed 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash while patients in the test group (n=34) were prescribed 0.2% chlorhexidine plus 0.1% hyaluronic acid mouthwash after SRP. All clinical parameters were assessed at baseline (T0) prior to SRP and then at 14 days (T1), except stain index which was again evaluated at 28 days (T2). Result: After the comparative evaluation of the clinical parameters between the two groups at baseline and at 14 days, the results substantiated that the patients using chlorhexidine plus hyaluronic acid mouthwashes demonstrated significant improvement in terms of reduction in pocket probing depth, plaque, gingival and bleeding index while no significant intergroup differences could be appreciated in terms of the stain index at 28 days. Conclusion: It was concluded that the heightened efficacy of hyaluronic acid is due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, bacteriostatic properties as well as its hygroscopic and biocompatible nature.