Table 4.

Clinical effect of siwak on periodontal health: Randomised controlled trial RCT)

References	Study design	Study group (n = sample size)	Siwak application	Periodontal parameter	Finding
Gazi et al. [41]	Cross over	TB (n = 10) S (n = 10)	Exclusive	PI, GI	Significantly reduced mean plaque and gingivitis scores
Al-Otaibi et al. [25]	Cross over	TB (n = 15) S (n = 15)	Exclusive	PI, Plaque-stained surface, GI
Baeshen et al. [35]	Cross over	TB (n = 15) S (n = 15)	Exclusive	PI	Percentage of plaque was comparable with TB
Bhambal et al. [37]	Cross over	TB (n = 30) S (n = 30)	Exclusive	PI, GI	Reduced mean plaque and gingivitis scores, but no significant difference with TB
Malik et al. [36]	Parallel	TB (n = 25) S (n = 25)	Exclusive	PI, GI	Significantly reduced plaque Comparable with TB in improving gingival health
Patel et al. [38]	Parallel	TB (n = 10) S (n = 10) S & TB (n = 10)	Adjunctive	PI, Plaque-stained surface, GI	Significantly greater reduction of plaque and gingivitis score
Othman et al. [40]	Parallel	TB (n = 10) S (n = 10) S & TB (n = 10)	Adjunctive	PI, GI	Significantly greater reduction of plaque and gingivitis score
Rifaey et al. [39]	Cross over	TB (n = 10) S & TB(n = 10)	Adjunctive	PI, GI, BOP	Significantly greater reduction of plaque and gingivitis score

PI, plaque index; GI, gingivitis index; BOP, bleeding on probing; TB, toothbrush; S, siwak