An in vitro study of factors affecting the development of staining associated with the use of chlorhexidine

A previously developed spectrophotometric measurement technique was employed to study factors which may affect the development of tea staining on chlorhexidine treated perspex specimenas. Thus the effects of the frequency of exposure of the specimens to, and the concentration of, the chlorhexidine gluconate solution on the development of staining, was assessed. Furthermore, the staining of test and control specimens previously esposed to pooled humna saliva was measured. All three parameters investgated had a significant effect upon tea staining of chlorhexidine treated specimens. Thus, there was a direct relationship between staining and the frequency of exposure to chlorhexidine. With increasing chlorhexidine concentration staining increased to an optimum at 0.1%. Pretreatment of specimens with saliva increased significantly the staining of both test and control specimens. however, the staining of test specimens remained significantly greater than the control specimens.