New agents in the chemical control of plaque and gingivitis--reaction paper.

The papers of Drs. Christersson, Marsh, Cummins, and Ciancio focus on the issues and problems associated with the efficacious delivery of chemical agents intended to control plaque and gingivitis. The infectious nature of periodontal disease, the importance of oral microbial ecology, the success of triclosan formulations, and the review of our current knowledge based upon clinical trials are emphasized.