Clinical Efficacy of Chlorhexidine versus Hyaluronic Acid as a Coating on Elastomeric-Ligatures in Managing Gingival and Periodontal Conditions during Orthodontic Treatment

Introduction: Keeping a healthy gingival and periodontal environment is animportant concern during fixed orthodontic treatment. Chlorhexidine (CHX), being thegold standard, was compared to Hyaluronic acid (HA) which is thought, nowadays,to be a rising agent regarding the healing effects on human tissues, including gingivaland periodontal tissues. Aim: The main objective of this trial was the assessment ofefficacy of chlorhexidine versus hyaluronic acid as a coating on elastomeric ligatures inmanaging gingival and periodontal conditions during orthodontic treatment. Materialsand methods: Chlorhexidine gluconate and hyaluronic acid 0.88 gels from the samemanufacturer (EZ-Pac®) have been applied on plain elastomeric ligatures (Dentaurum®).Three groups of 57 cases in all were created (19 each). Group I received Chlorhexidine(CHX) coated elastomeric ligatures and was called CHX group. Group II receivedHyaluronic acid (HA) coated elastomeric ligatures and was called HA group. GroupIII received plain elastomeric ligatures and was called control group. Recall visitswere every month; T0 (pre-appointment assessment), T1 (after one month), T2 (aftertwo months), T3 (after three months). Plaque.index (PI) and gingival.index (GI) havebeen measured at time intervals; T0, T1, T2 and T3 using Wiliams periodontal probe.Results: A statistically significant drop in PI (0.0381) and GI (P=0.024) was observed inHA than CHX and control group at T3. Conclusion: When compared to chlorhexidine,hyaluronic acid demonstrated a significant reduction in gingival index with a relativelyweak correlation between PI and GI in HA group compared to CHX group