Comparative evaluation of curcumin gel vs chlorhexidine gel in the management of denture induced traumatic ulcers: A randomized trial

Abstract

Introduction: Denture induced traumatic ulcers are very common in elderly individuals who wear removable dentures. It can negatively affect the patient’s acceptance to wear dentures, causes pain, ulceration and there are only few treatment strategies available despite its high prevalence. Therefore, there is need for developing drugs with high efficacy and safety for the management of these ulcers.
Aim: To compare the clinical and biochemical efficacy of Curcumin gel with Chlorhexidine gel in patients with denture induced traumatic ulcers. 
Material and Methods: The randomized, open labeled, prospective study was conducted on 60 patients allocated to two treatment groups curcumin gel group I (n=30) and chlorhexidine gel group II (n=30) each at Adesh Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Bathinda, after obtaining ethical approval. For the estimation of clinical paramaters pain scores (NRS 0-10), ulcer size (mm2), erythema (modified Greer scale 0-3) were assessed at baseline, 3rd day and 6th day. For biochemical parameter estimation TNF-α levels were measured at baseline and 6th day using ELISA. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, independent t-test, paired t-test and Friedman test wherever applicable. 
Results:In this study both the curcumin and chlorhexidine gels caused reduction in pain scores, erythema scores and ulcer size over six day period (p<0.001). But there was no significant difference observed between the groups. Salivary TNF- α levels decreased in both groups (p<0.001), with curcumin showing greater reduction in salivary TNF- α levels as compared to chlorhexidine (−20.44 ± 4.47 vs. −13.55 ± 5.27 pg/mL, p<0.01). However, both of these gels were affective in the treatment of denture induced traumatic ulcers.
Conclusion: Curcumin gel is as effective as chlorhexidine gel on clinical parameters in the treatment of denture induced traumatic ulcers with a superior reduction of TNF-α levels with potent anti-inflammatory action.