Reduction of plaque formation and gingivitis by a dentifrice containing triclosan and copolymer

Abstract

A 6-month, single-blind and parallel clinical study was conducted to compare the effects of dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan and 2.0% of copolymer (methoxyethylene and maleic acid) with a customary oral hygiene procedure on supragingival plaque formation and gingivitis. The 124 subjects were stratified into two balanced groups on the basis of their baseline plaque and gingivitis scores. After complete oral prophylaxis, subjects were assigned to use either a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice or to practice their customary oral hygiene care for 6 months. Plaque formation and gingivitis were scored at 3 and 6 months. After 3 and 6 months, triclosan/copolymer produced 7.17% and 12.07% significantly greater reduction of plaque formation than the customary oral hygiene group, respectively. Triclosan/copolymer significantly reduced gingivitis by 5.20% at 3 months, while no significant differences between the two groups were observed at 6 months. Likewise, triclosan/copolymer provided 8.70% and 16.33% significantly greater reduction of plaque severity index at 3- and 6-month evaluation, respectively. Gingivitis severity index was significantly reduced by 25% at 3 months, but there were no differences between the two groups at 6 months. These results indicate that the triclosan/copolymer dentifrice was better than the customary oral hygiene care in preventing supragingival plaque formation up to 6 months and in reducing gingivitis up to 3 months.