Xanthan-based chlorhexidine gel effects in non-surgical periodontal therapy? A meta-analysis

Objective To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing scaling and root planing (SRP) or placebo with subgingival application of xanthan-based CHX (chlorhexidine) gel as adjunct to SRP. Materials and Methods The literature search was carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS; primary outcomes were probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction and gain in clinical attachment level (CAL). Results Overall, 15 studies were included. Three studies were judged to be at moderate risk of bias while the remaining 12 were rated at high risk of bias. A significant improvement in PPD reduction (standardized mean difference, SMD, 0.87, 95% CI, 0.41–1.34) and CAL gain (SMD = 0.84, 95% CI, 0.36–1.33) emerged for the SRP + CXH gel compared to the SRP alone group, in the presence of significant high heterogeneity among the studies. Conclusions Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that xanthan-based chlorhexidine gel as adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy gives benefit in terms of PPD reduction and CAL gain as compared to non-surgical periodontal therapy only. Since there was high heterogeneity among studies and the quality of the evidence is low, further studies characterized by a better methodology, adequate sample size and longer follow-up are warranted in the next future. Registration The protocol of this scoping review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO) with ID: CRD42023391589.