A comparison of the efficacy of a triclosan/copolymer/sodium fluoride dentifrice, a stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate/zinc lactate dentifrice, and a sodium fluoride dentifrice for the control of established supragingival plaque and gingivitis: a six-week clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy ofa dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan, 2.0% PVM/MA copolymer, and 0.243% sodium fluoride in controlling established gingivitis and supragingival plaque to that of a commercially available dentifrice containing 0.454% stannous fluoride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and zinc lactate, and a commercially available dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride.

METHODS: Following a baseline examination for gingivitis and supragingival plaque, qualifying adult male and female subjects from the Mississauga, Ontario, Canada area were randomized into three dentifrice groups. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for one minute with their assigned dentifrice and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Examinations for gingivitis and supragingival plaque were repeated after six weeks of product use.

RESULTS: One-hundred eighty-two (182) subjects complied with the protocol and completed the study. Relative to the 0.243% sodium fluoride dentifrice group, the 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer/0.243% sodium fluoride dentifrice group exhibited statistically significant reductions in gingival index and supragingival plaque index scores of 26.5% and 29.4%, respectively, after six weeks of product use. Similarly, relative to the 0.243% sodium fluoride dentifrice group, the 0.454% stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate/zinc lactate dentifrice group exhibited statistically significant reductions in gingival index and plaque index scores of 12.7% and 12.6%, respectively, after six weeks of product use. Further, relative to the 0.454% stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate/zinc lactate dentifrice group, the 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer/0.243% sodium fluoride dentifrice group exhibited statistically significant reductions in gingival index and plaque index scores of 15.8% and 19.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The overall results of this double-blind clinical study support the conclusion that a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan, 2.0% PVM/MA copolymer, and 0.243% sodium fluoride is efficacious for the control of established gingivitis and supragingival plaque, and that it provides a greater level of efficacy for the control of gingivitis and supragingival plaque than does a dentifrice containing 0.454% stannous fluoride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and zinc lactate.