Tooth whitening through the removal of extrinsic stain with two sodium hexametaphosphate-containing whitening dentifrices.

Purpose: To evaluate the tooth whitening benefit through stain removal delivered by a marketed whitening dentifrice (Crest Vivid White) used twice a day or a combination regimen of two marketed dentifrices (Crest Vivid White Night used at night and Crest Cavity Protection used in the morning) relative to a positive control over a 2-week period.

Methods: Both studies were randomized, two treatment, parallel group, examiner-blind, 2-week clinical trials involving 22 and 30 healthy adults with longstanding visible extrinsic stain on the facial surfaces of at least six anterior teeth. In each study, subjects were randomized to one of two treatments: a sodium fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate whitening dentifrice used alone (Study 1) or in combination with a cavity protection dentifrice (Study 2) with an ADA reference manual toothbrush versus a control power toothbrush with a cavity protection dentifrice (both studies).

Results: In both studies, all treatment groups statistically significantly (P < 0.001) reduced baseline stain scores following 1 and 2 weeks of brushing. After 2 weeks, the whitening dentifrice used twice daily had a median percent stain removal of 90% and the night-time whitening dentifrice (used once a day) in combination with the cavity protection dentifrice had a median percent stain removal of 85% while powered toothbrush groups showed median percent stain removal of 88-89% in both studies. Stain removal scores after 1 and 2 weeks of brushing did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups in either study.