Randomized clinical trial of two oral care regimens in reducing and controlling established dental plaque and gingivitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a test regimen (TR) integrating the use of a commercially available triclosan, PVM/MA copolymer, and sodium fluoride containing toothpaste, an alcohol-free, fluoride-free cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouthwash, and a manual toothbrush with cheek and tongue cleaner compared to a negative control regimen (NCR) integrating a commercially available 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate toothpaste, a manual toothbrush and a fluoride-free and alcohol-free non-antibacterial mouthwash in the reduction and control of established plaque and gingivitis after 4 weeks of product use.

Method: A 4-week, two-cell, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized clinical study was conducted in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, USA. Recruited subjects were randomly assigned to two regimens: (1) a commercially available toothpaste containing triclosan, PVM/MA copolymer, and 0.243% sodium fluoride, a manual toothbrush with cheek and tongue cleaner, and commercially available mouthwash containing 0.075% CPC in a fluoride-free and alcohol-free base (TR), or (2) a commercially available 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate toothpaste, a manual toothbrush with rounded/polished bristles, and a fluoride-free and alcohol-free non-antibacterial mouthwash (NCR). Subjects were examined for dental plaque and gingivitis. Gingival, Gingival Severity, Gingival Interproximal, Plaque, Plaque Severity and Plaque Interproximal Index scores were calculated. For regimen comparison, independent t-test and ANCOVA analyses were performed.

Results: 130 subjects were screened; 120 enrolled; and 115 subjects completed the randomized clinical trial (RCT). After 4 weeks of product use, subjects using TR exhibited statistically significant (P < 0.001) reductions of 22.3%, 27.8% and 20.4% in mean Gingival, Gingival Severity and Gingival Interproximal Index scores, respectively, as compared to subjects using NCR. After 4 weeks of product use, subjects using TR exhibited statistically significant (P < 0.001) reductions of 28.2%, 60.7% and 27.6% in mean Plaque, Plaque Severity and Plaque Interproximal Index scores, respectively, as compared to subjects using NCR.