CHLORHEXIDINE IN DENTAL PRACTICE: INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CHLORHEXIDINE AND DENTAL MATERIALS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Background Chlorhexidine (CHX) is widely used in dentistry, but its interaction with dental materials may influence their bonding, surface, mechanical, and esthetic properties. These effects appear to depend on material composition, CHX concentration, and exposure duration. Aim To synthesize current evidence on the interactions between CHX and commonly used dental materials and to evaluate their clinical relevance in restorative, prosthetic, and implant dentistry. Materials and Methods A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. English-language studies published between January 1986 and October 2025 were considered. Laboratory studies, clinical studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses evaluating physicochemical, mechanical, bonding, biological, or clinical effects of CHX on dental materials were included. In total, 27 publications were included in the final narrative synthesis. Findings were synthesized narratively because of substantial heterogeneity in materials, exposure protocols, and outcome measures. Results Short-term CHX exposure generally produced limited effects on immediate bond strength and mechanical performance. In adhesive dentistry, CHX improved resin-dentin bond preservation after aging, although the effect varied with adhesive strategy and exposure conditions. Prolonged exposure was associated with increased surface roughness, discoloration, or reduced hardness in selected resin-based, glass-ionomer, and acrylic materials. Low CHX concentrations generally preserved fluoride release from glass-ionomer materials. Titanium surfaces showed limited changes after short-term exposure, whereas prolonged exposure to concentrated CHX produced minor physicochemical alterations. Conclusions The effects of CHX on dental materials are primarily material, concentration, and exposure dependent. Short term exposure generally causes limited changes, whereas prolonged or repeated exposure may affect selected surface and esthetic properties. CHX may improve long term resin dentin bond preservation, but further clinical studies are needed to determine the clinical relevance of these effects in restorative, prosthetic, and implant dentistry.