The effect of a triclosan/copolymer/fluoride liquid dentifrice on interproximal enamel remineralization and fluoride uptake.
BACKGROUND
The authors measured the enamel remineralization of dental interproximal surfaces by a triclosan/copolymer/fluoride liquid dentifrice to test its performance against that of a standard toothpaste.


METHODS
In a randomized, crossover, blinded, in situ protocol, the authors fitted 19 healthy adult subjects with mandibular appliances holding bilateral, interproximal bovine enamel slabs. They measured initial abrasion levels and fluoride content. In a two-phase crossover protocol, they evaluated the percentage of surface mineral recovery, or SMR, and fluoride uptake caused by the experimental dentifrice and a fluoride-containing traditional control toothpaste.


RESULTS
Abrasion depths were similar and not different statistically (P > .05). The interproximal blocks exposed to the triclosan-containing liquid dentifrice had a mean fluoride uptake that was nearly 100 parts per million (13.1 percent) greater than that achieved with the American Dental Association-accepted control dentifrice. This finding, while not statistically significant, may indicate enhanced performance of the experimental dentifrice because the initial enamel slab abrasion depths were shown to be quite uniform. Moreover, the blocks exposed to the experimental toothpaste had a 49.8 percent SMR, while the positive control blocks had an SMR of only 36.9 percent. This enhanced remineralization performance was statistically significant (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to show enhanced performance of a triclosan-containing liquid dentifrice in preventing interproximal dental caries. The difference in percentage of SMR was statistically significant and is likely to be clinically relevant.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this preliminary study offer evidence supporting clinicians' recommendation of the new liquid dentifrice to patients who are prone to developing interproximal carious lesions.
Silva
Milton Fernando de A
MF
School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceló, Brazil.
Giniger
Martin S
MS
Zhang
Yun Po
YP
DeVizio
William
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000378:metabolism; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005459:Fluorides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012824:Silicic Acid; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000188:drug therapy; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000188:drug therapy; D014089:Tooth Remineralization / Q000379:methods*; D014100:Toothpastes; D014260:Triclosan / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D045424:Complex Mixtures; D003802:Dentifrices; D014100:Toothpastes; C546060:hydrated silica gel-based toothpaste; D012824:Silicic Acid; D014260:Triclosan; D005459:Fluorides