title: Evaluation of a dental floss containing soluble pyrophosphate on calculus formation using a short-term clinical model.
abstract: This clinical study compared the effect of a dental floss containing 0.25 mg tetrasodium pyrophosphate per cm and a placebo floss on supragingival calculus formation using a 6-week, partial-mouth toothshield model. The six lower anterior teeth were scaled and polished before each 2-week period (i.e., pre-trial, washout, trial). During both the pre-trial and trial periods, subjects brushed twice daily with a non-tartar control dentifrice, while a toothshield protected the six test teeth from brushing. After rinsing with water and removing the shield, they flossed the test teeth. All subjects used placebo floss during the pre-trial period in order to determine the baseline Volpe-Manhold Index (VMI) calculus formation scores, which were used to balance groups for the trial period. During the trial period, one group used the placebo floss, while the second group used the pyrophosphate floss. The final results demonstrated that the pyrophosphate floss significantly inhibited calculus formation between teeth (mesial-distal scores) by 21%, and on labial surfaces by 37% relative to the placebo floss.
authors.affiliation: Health Science Research Center, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, USA. kleber@ipfw.edu
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kleber
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Putt
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Milleman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D011756:Diphosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index
chemical_list: D011756:Diphosphates