Resolution of interdental inflammation with 2 different modes of plaque control.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the effect on existing plaque and gingivitis of an oral hygiene regimen which utilizes triclosan/copolymer and to compare it with a regimen which uses interdental cleaning devices to control the interdental inflammation.


METHODS
For this investigation, 39 subjects were recruited. They were examined for plaque and gingivitis using the criteria of Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein index and the papillary bleeding index. Plaque and gingivitis were only scored interdentally. Following the baseline examination, the subjects were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The control group used a dentifrice identical to the test dentifrice but without triclosan/copolymer; subjects in this group were taught to brush their teeth with the modified Bass technique and were instructed to additionally use appropriate interdental cleaning devices. The test group used a dentifrice containing triclosan/copolymer (Colgate Total). They were not instructed to use interdental cleaning devices.


RESULTS
Both groups were re-examined after 4 weeks, and 4 and 7 months. In both groups, plaque and gingivitis levels were modestly reduced, more pronounced in the anterior and less in the posterior teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
This investigation demonstrated that a dentifrice containing triclosan in combination with a copolymer can reduce plaque and gingival inflammation to levels comparable to regular interdental cleaning.
Kocher
T
T
Abteilung Parodontologie in der Poliklinik für Zahnerhaltung, Parodontologie und Kinderzahnheilkunde im Zentrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde, Greifswald, Germany. kocher@mail.uni.greifswald.de
Sawaf
H
H
Warncke
M
M
Welk
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D011108:Polymers; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012824:Silicic Acid; D014099:Toothbrushing; D014100:Toothpastes; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014260:Triclosan
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D003802:Dentifrices; D011108:Polymers; D014100:Toothpastes; C546060:hydrated silica gel-based toothpaste; D012824:Silicic Acid; D014260:Triclosan; D005459:Fluorides