Summary: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the combined effectiveness of mechanical methods with essential oil–containing mouthrinses (MMEO) versus mechanical methods (MM) alone in achieving site-specific, healthy gingival tissue and reducing plaque and gingivitis.
Authors: M. Araujo, C.A. Charles, R.B. Weinstein, J.A. McGuire
Source: JADA, August, 2015
All industry-sponsored clinical trials investigating the antigingivitis and antiplaque effects of essential oil (EO)–containing mouthrinses conducted from 1980 to 2012 were reviewed; 29 of 32 studies met the inclusion criteria of 6 months or longer duration, randomization, observer masking, controlling for placebo, and individual-level site-specific data. By-study treatment effects were estimated through generalized linear models for binary data and analysis of covariance for continuous data and then combined using standard meta-analysis techniques; heterogeneity was also assessed.
Summary odds ratios for a healthy gingival site and for a plaque-free site were, respectively, 5.0 (95% CI, 3.3 to 7.5) and 7.8 (95% CI, 5.4 to 11.2) for MMEO participants versus MM participants at 6 months. The summary percentage reductions in whole-mouth mean gingivitis and plaque at 6 months were 16.0 (95% CI, 11.3 to 20.7) and 27.7 (95% CI, 22.4 to 32.9), respectively. Responder analyses using aggregate individual-level data showed that 44.8% of MMEO participants and 14.4% of MM participants achieved at least 50% healthy sites in their mouths at 6 months. Similarly, 36.9% of MMEO participants and 5.5% of MM participants achieved at least 50% plaque-free sites in their mouths at 6 months.
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https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(15)00336-0/fulltext