Efectividad del uso tópico de Salvia officinalis en la disminución del índice gingival en sujetos con gingivitis

background: gingivitis is the most prevalent periodontal problem in people, so we need to find new alternatives for treatment and prevention. aim: to evaluate the effects of salvia officinalis in the declining modified gingival index (gi) in dentistry students of the universidad del desarrollo diagnosed with gingivitis, year 2010. subjects and methods: this was a quantitative study, blinded, experimental type of placebo-controlled clinical trials on the action of extract of s. officinalis in toothpaste and mouthwash for plaque-induced gingivitis in 33 dental students from universidad del desarrollo, concepción; 13 women and 20 men between 21 and 29 years old, were divided into three groups: placebo, mouthwash and toothpaste. after the first appointment we call the patients every 7, 14 and 28 days, we ended the treatment at day 14. results: in the control group there was no significant difference (p=0.061) the first week, while groups with mouthwash and toothpaste, there were significant differences (p=0.00). the last week, as we remove the placebo, the gi was maintained. on the other hand, in groups with s. officinalis the drop did not continue. the decrease of gi was higher in groups with mouthwash and toothpaste than in the control group. discussion: the use of s. officinalis is effective in reducing the gi. the mouthwash and toothpaste decrease more rapidly the ig. the mouthwash achieved the greatest reduction of ig.