THE VALUE OF periodontal dressings after periodontal surgery has been questioned. This study further evaluated chlorhexidine as a possible alternative. A group of nine patients requiring comparable bilateral inverse bevel flap procedures underwent preoperative oral hygiene instruction and scaling. Immediately before surgery and up to 3 months postoperatively, clinical records of plaque index, pocket depths and sulcus bleeding index were made. Records were taken of patients' postoperative discomfort and preferences. During the 1st postoperative week either a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate or a 1% saline mouthrinse was prescribed. Plaque accumulation and sulcus bleeding were significantly reduced on the sides treated with chlorhexidine. Significant reductions in pocket depths were recorded for both groups but there were not differences between treatments. Less postoperative discomfort was experienced with chlorhexidine, although the difference was not significant. Five patients preferred chlorhexidine, one saline, and three had no preferences. These and previous results suggest that a periodontal dressing is unnecessary or even undesirable after the inverse bevel flap procedure, and may be usefully replaced by a suitable antiplaque agent.