EMBAR

Author:
Pritam Bora
PG Student, Department of Periodontology

DOI: doi.org/10.58924/rjams.v4.iss5.p2

Published Date: 10-Sep, 2025

Keywords: periodontal therapy, chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, turmeric, mouthwash, clinical parameters, antimicrobial

Abstract:
Background: Periodontal disease remains a significant global health burden, with phase 1 therapy serving as the cornerstone of initial treatment. Adjunctive antimicrobial mouthwashes are commonly employed to enhance therapeutic outcomes. This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of three different mouthwashes—chlorhexidine (0.12%), povidone iodine (1%), and turmeric (2% curcumin extract)—as adjuncts to phase 1 periodontal therapy. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted with 120 patients (40 per group) diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. Following phase 1 therapy (scaling and root planing), participants were randomly assigned to use one of the three mouthwashes twice daily for 21 days. Clinical parameters including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) were recorded at baseline, 14 days, and 21 days. Microbiological analysis of subgingival plaque samples was also performed. Results: All three mouthwashes demonstrated significant improvements in clinical parameters compared to baseline (p < 0.001). The chlorhexidine group showed the greatest reduction in PI (2.15 ± 0.32 to 0.82 ± 0.18) and GI (1.98 ± 0.28 to 0.75 ± 0.15). The turmeric group exhibited comparable results in PPD reduction (4.32 ± 0.87 mm to 2.87 ± 0.65 mm) and CAL gain (3.45 ± 0.92 mm to 2.18 ± 0.71 mm). Povidone iodine demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity with a 78.3% reduction in total bacterial count. Inter-group analysis revealed chlorhexidine was superior for plaque control (p = 0.023), while turmeric showed better anti-inflammatory effects (p = 0.018). Conclusion: All three mouthwashes proved effective as adjuncts to phase 1 periodontal therapy. Chlorhexidine remains the gold standard for plaque control, turmeric demonstrates promising anti-inflammatory properties, and povidone iodine offers potent antimicrobial activity. The choice of mouthwash should be tailored to individual patient needs and specific clinical presentations.

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