PLAQUE

DISCLOSING
AGENTS
 WHAT IS DENTAL PLAQUE?
• Dental plaque is defined as a soft deposits that form the
biofilm adhering to the tooth surface.

• Composed of organic, inorganic materials derived from

saliva, and bacterial products.
 DISCLOSING AGENT
• A disclosing
agent is a preparation in liquid, tablet &
lozenge form which contains a dye or other coloring
agent.

• Used for identification of bacterial plaque.

 UTILITY OF DISCLOSING
AGENTS
a) To evaluate the effectiveness of oral hygiene
maintenance.

b) For the preparation of plaque indices.

c) To personalise the patient instructions and motivation.

d) For self-evaluation by the patient.

e) For plaque control in special children.

f) In research studies with regard to the effectiveness of

plaque control devices like toothbrushes and
dentrifices etc.
 PROPERTIES FOR AN ACCEPTABLE
DISCLOSING AGENT
1. Taste

2. Color intensity

3. Duration

4. Mucosal irritation

5. Diffusibility

6. Antiseptic action
 TYPES OF DISCLOSING AGENTS USED
A) Iodine preparations:
i) Skinner’s iodine solution
ii) Diluted tincture of iodine

B) Mercurochrome preparations:
iii) Mercurochrome solution 50%
iv) Flavoured mercurochrome disclosing solution

C) Bismark brown
D) Merbromin
E) Erythrosine
F) Fast green
G) Fluorescein
H) Two tone solution
J) Basic Fuchsin
 1. IODINE PREPARATIONS
 Two types:
a) Skinner’s iodine solution
- Iodine crystal 3.3%
- Potassium fluoride 16%
- Zinc iodide 10%
Distilled water 16%

b) Diluted tincture of iodine

- Tincture of iodine 21%
- Distilled water 15%
 CONT…
• Plaque  deeply brown or black
• Inflamed gingiva  dark areas
• Discoloration disappears in a few minutes

Advantages:
• Low cost
• Clinical photography

Disadvantages:
• Patients allergic to iodine
• Objectionable taste.
 2. MERCUROCHROME
PREPARATIONS
 Two types:
a) Mercurochrome solution 5%
Mercurochrome 1.5%
 Distilled water 30%

b)Flavoured mercurochrome
Mercurochrome 13.5gm
Oil of peppermint 3 drops
 3. BISMARCK BROWN
(EASLICK’S DISCLOSING
SOLUTION)
Bismarck brown 3gm
 Ethyl alcohol 10ml
 Glycerin 120ml
Anise (flavor) 1 drop
 4. MERBROMIN
Merbromin NF 450mg
 Oil of peppermint 1 drop
 Distilled water 100ml
 5. ERYTHROSIN
By Rinsing
Alcohol 10ml
Distilled
 water 100ml
Peppermint oil 2 drops


For direct topical application

Erythrosin 0.8gm

Alcohol 10ml

Distilled water 100ml

Peppermint oil 2 drops


Tablets or wafers
F.D & C. Red # 3 to15gm
Sodium sucaryl 0.747%

Sodium stearate 0.995%

White oil 1.124%

Flavoring agent 2.239%

ERYTHROSIN DYED TEETH
 ADVANTAGES OF
ERYTHROSIN RED
 It doesn’t stain permanently
 Doesn’t stain composite restorations
 Doesn’t have any known possible side effects.
FAST GREEN: F.D&C. NO. 3
 FLUOROSCEIN
 F.D. & C. No 8
 Yellowish green in color
 It doesn’t stain the soft tissues.
 Expensive
 Used with special ultraviolet light source to make agent
visible.
 TWO TONE SOLUTION
• F.D. % C. Green No. 3
• F.D.% C. Red No. 3
• Topically applied dye that stains older plaque blue and newer plaque
red.
BASIC FUCHSIN
 6gm
 Ethyl alcohol 100ml or 95%
 Used by adding 2 drops to distilled water in a dappen dish.
 APPLICATION PROCEDURE
 Disclosing solutions can be applied by the following
methods:

1. Solutions for direct application:

 The patient is asked to rinse his mouth well and remove all
the food substances and heavy saliva.
 The water based lubricant is applied so that the lips don’t
get stained.
 The teeth are made dried and the solution is carried to the
teeth with the help of swab or cotton pellet.
2. Rinsing agents:

 A few drops of concentrated preparations are placed in a

paper cup and water is added for the appropriate dilution.

 Instruct the patient to swish it around for 30-60 seconds so

that it is applied on all tooth surfaces.
3. Tablets or wafers:

 Instruct the patient to chew the wafer or tablet. Swish it

around for 30-60 seconds and rinse.