Effect of Cervitec varnish on the salivary Streptococcus mutans levels in the patients with fixed orthodontic appliances

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficiency of a 1% chlorhexidine-containing varnish (Cervitec, Vivadent, Liechtenstein) on the levels of Streptococcus mutans in saliva of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances using the Dentocult-SM (Vivadent, Liechtenstein) technique for the microbiological investigation. Eighty subjects participated in the study and, divided randomly into two equal groups in which one group was treated with the placebo varnish (Vivadent, Liechtenstein) for negative controls. Streptococcus mutans in saliva of the subject was sampled and enumerated by using the Dentocult-SM dip-slide technique for periods of one, two four and twelve weeks after a single varnish application. The results were evaluated statistically. After the chlorhexidine containing varnish treatment the levels of Streptococcus mutans in saliva were significantly reduced after one week (p < 0.01) and continued reduction for one month (p < 0.05). After twelve weeks Streptococcus mutans levels in saliva were given a relative increase. No significant suppression was found in the placebo group (p > 0.05). The results suggested that Cervitec varnish reduces salivary Streptococcus mutans levels and that the application should be repeated every 3 months to get antibacterial effect.