Efficacy of adjunctive therapies in patients with gingival inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive therapies in reducing gingivitis and plaque by means of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). 

Material and Methods: A search protocol was designed to identify 6-month RCTs that investigated the efficacy of adjuncts to mechanical plaque control on gingivitis and plaque. Following screening, relevant information was extracted, and quality and potential risk of bias were estimated. Mean treatment differences were calculated to obtain standardized mean differences and weighted mean differences (SMD and WMD) as appropriate. 

Results: Meta-analyses included 70 studies of adjunctive antiseptics. Compared with mechanical plaque control alone, adjuncts yielded statistically significant reductions in gingival index (n = 72; SMD = −1.268; 95% CI [−1.489; −1.047]; p <.001; I² = 96.2%), bleeding (%) (n = 26, WMD=−14.62%; 95% CI [−18.01%; −11.23%]; p <.001; I² = 95.1%), plaque index (n = 93, SMD = −1.017; 95% CI [−1.194; −0.840]; p <.001; I² = 95.3%) and plaque (%) (n = 23; WMD = −18.20%; 95% CI [−24.00%; −12.50%]; p <.001; I² = 96.9%). Mouthrinses resulted in greater reductions in per cent plaque compared with dentifrices (meta-regression, coefficient = 13.80%; 95% CI [2.40%; 25.10%]; p =.020). The antiseptic agents were similarly effective in reducing gingivitis and plaque in patients with dental plaque-induced gingivitis (intact periodontium) or previously treated periodontitis with gingival inflammation.

Conclusion: Adjunctive antiseptics in mouthrinses and dentifrices provide statistically significant reductions in gingival, bleeding and plaque indices.