title: A systematic review of the effectiveness of anticalculus dentifrices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the evidence on the effectiveness of commercially available anticalculus dentifrices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic search for published and unpublished epidemiological data in 7 electronic databases, 5 journals, and the bibliographies of retrieved papers and by making contact with subject experts in this field. Thirty-two reports were identified containing comparisons of one or more active agents with a placebo dentifrice and calculus measured using the Volpe-Manhold Index (VMI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Random effect model for 3-month studies showed an effect size of -0.6 for all comparisons. The effect sizes varied from -0.3 for dentifrices with zinc chloride 0.5% to -1.1 for pyrophosphate 1.3% and copolymer 1.5% dentifrices. Meta-analysis of all the studies with 6-month follow-up gave an effect size of -1.1 (-1.5 to -0.8) and for 12-month follow-up the effect size was -13.6 (-21.4 to -5.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anticalculus dentifrices containing pyrophosphates, zinc compounds and/or co-polymers were effective in significantly reducing calculus scores (VMI).
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: Gopalakrishnan S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Netuveli
authors.forename: Aubrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheiham
mesh_terms: D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011756:Diphosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008298:Maleates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003802:Dentifrices; D011756:Diphosphates; D008298:Maleates; D011095:Polyethylenes; C043105:poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride)