Periodontal Maintenance

Other researchers have studied the benefits of home irrigation with a standard jet tip on periodontal maintenance clients.50-52 In a six-month study, Newman et al. compared water irrigation, and irrigation with zinc sulfate to a manual toothbrushing control. Results showed that clients previously treated for periodontal disease with residual bleeding and some 5 mm pockets who added water irrigation to their daily home routine of brushing and flossing, had significant reductions in GI, BOP, and PD over both the water and zinc sulfate groups; however PD reduction was minimal at 0.11 mm.50 Flemmig et al. found that periodontal maintenance clients who utilized home water irrigation had a 50% decrease in BOP over a six-month time frame compared to normal oral hygiene. MGI was also significantly reduced but PD was not.51 In a shorter inves-tigation, Walsh et al., found daily irrigation with 0.2% CHX superior to a placebo solution having a 71% greater reduction in plaque, 16% greater reduction in GBI, and a 0.55 greater reduction in PD.52