title: Multimodality imaging of the effects of a novel dentifrice on oral biofilm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oral biofilm formation and progression on the surface of the tooth can lead to advanced oral disease such as gingivitis. The purpose of this randomized, controlled, double-blinded study was to evaluate the effects of a novel dental gel on oral plaque biofilm using multimodal imaging techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five subjects with moderate gingival inflammation (Löe and Silness Gingival Index ≥2) and pocket depths <4 were randomly assigned to brush twice daily for 21 days with the test or the control dental gel. In vivo multimodality in situ imaging was performed over a 3-week period using in vivo Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Non-Linear Optical microscopy (NLOM). Plaque levels, gingival inflammation and gingival bleeding were also charted on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 using standard clinical indices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 3 weeks, OCT and NLOM images showed a macroscopic break-up of the plaque layer and smaller, fragmented residual deposits in the test group with no apparent changes in the pellicle. Biofilm was also reduced in the control group, but to a lesser degree with regard to thickness, continuity and surface area. Paralleling these imaging results, clinical indices were significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.05) and significantly lower in the test group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both dental gels reduced oral biofilm with the test gel showing greater efficacy (P < 0.05) as determined by clinical and imaging parameters.
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine, California, 92612.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ajdaharian
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dadkhah
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabokpey
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biren-Fetz
authors.forename: Na Eun
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Cherie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wink
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wilder-Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003802:Dentifrices; D005782:Gels
keywords: biofilm; dental gel; gingival inflammation; nonlinear optical microscopy; optical coherence tomography; plaque