Effect of Different Concentrations of Chlorhexidine on Anti-Plaque in Oral Care Practice: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this network meta-analysis was to compare the anti-plaque effects and adverse effects of different concentrations of chlorhexidine (CHX).

Methods: PubMed, OVID Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to October 2023 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of different concentrations of CHX in healthy populations. Random-effects network meta-analyses were performed to summarise the evidence, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework was used to rate the certainty of evidence. Cohen's d standardised mean differences were calculated as the measure of effect size.

Results: Thirty-eight RCTs involving 2011 participants and six concentrations of CHX (0.2%, 0.12%, 0.1%, 0.3%, 1% and 0.06%) were included. The anti-plaque effects of CHX at all concentrations were compared with placebo. Moderate to very low certainty evidence established 0.2% CHX as the most effective on anti-plaque. 0.12% and 0.1% CHX also showed significant anti-plaque effects. However, the ranking probabilities showed that the adverse effects of 0.12% and 0.1% CHX were < 0.2% CHX.

Conclusions: Compared with placebo, 0.2%, 0.12% and 0.1% CHX had significant anti-plaque effects, with moderate to very low certainty evidence that 0.2% CHX was most effective on anti-plaque. However, 0.2% CHX had larger adverse effects than 0.12% and 0.1% CHX.

Trial registration: PROSPERO: Number CRD: 42022327083.