The in vitro effects of chlorhexidine on subgingival plaque bacteria

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility to chlorhexidine of a range of bacteria which may be isolated from subgingival plaque. In addition, the effect of chlorhexidine on the survival of bacteria in subgingival plaque samples from patients with chronic inflammatory periodontal disease was investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of chlorhexidine for 52 strains of bacteria ranged from 8 to 500 μ/gml. The modal value of the MIC was found to be 62 μ/gm/l, 64% of the strains tested being inhibited at this concentration. A concentration of 250 μ/g/ml of chlorhexidine inhibited the growth of all bacteria in the 25 subgingival plaque samples investigated. The MTC of chlorhexidine for the samples ranged from 31 to 250 μ//g/ml, the modal value being 125 μ//g/ml.