Anticalculus effect of two zinc citrate/essential oil-containing dentifrices.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of incorporating zinc citrate, a known anticalculus ingredient, into a dentifrice formulation containing a fixed combination of essential oils, a known antiplaque/antigingivitis agent.


METHODS
This randomized, parallel, double-blind study evaluated the potential of two essential oil dentifrice formulations containing different levels of zinc citrate (1.0% and 2.0% ZCT) to reduce supragingival calculus formation compared to a marketed control dentifrice, Crest Regular. Following a 3-month pre-test phase, subjects received a dental prophylaxis, were stratified into three balanced groups on the basis of Volpe-Manhold calculus scores and brushed twice daily with their assigned dentifrice for 3 months.


RESULTS
One hundred ninety-six evaluable subjects completed all phases of the study. ANCOVA revealed that the 1.0% ZCT and 2.0% ZCT essential oil dentifrice formulations provided significant reductions in calculus formation of 26.4% and 29.0% (P< 0.001), respectively, compared to the control dentifrice, Crest Regular. The magnitude of calculus reductions is similar to those levels obtained by other zinc salt formulations.
Santos
S L
SL
The Warner-Lambert Consumer Healthcare Division of the Warner-Lambert Consumer Group of Pfizer, Morris Plains, NJ, USA. sylvia.santos@wl.com
Conforti
N
N
Mankodi
S
S
Kohut
B E
BE
Yu
D
D
Wu
M M
MM
Parikh
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012824:Silicic Acid; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014099:Toothbrushing; D014100:Toothpastes; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003802:Dentifrices; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D014100:Toothpastes; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C546060:hydrated silica gel-based toothpaste; D012824:Silicic Acid; D019343:Citric Acid; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012969:Sodium Fluoride