Comparative Analysis on the effect of Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Povidone Iodine mouthrinses on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation

Background: To compare the efficacy of Chlorhexidine Gluconate (0.2%) and Povidone Iodine in controlling plaque and gingival scores. Materials and methods: Ultrasonic scaling was performed on the study group, following which plaque and gingival baseline scores were recorded. The subjects were prescribed Chlorhexidine Gluconate(0.2%) mouthrinse during the first week, and Povidone Iodine mouthrinse during the second week to be rinsed twice a day, following which plaque and gingival scores were obtained. A wash out period of one week was given between the solutions. A statistical analysis using a two-sample T-test was performed to assess the control of plaque and gingivitis between the mouthrinses. Results: None of the variables were statistically significant but the mean values of Plaque Index(PI) and Gingival Index(GI) were higher in the Chlorhexidine group than the Povidone Iodine group. Plaque Index(PI) values were seen to increase more in the Chlorhexidine group than the Povidone Iodine group, whereas Gingival Index(GI) was seen to decrease more in the Chlorhexidine group.