title: Extrinsic stain removal with a toothpowder: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The efficacy of a commercially available toothpowder was compared with toothpaste in removing extrinsic dental stains.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 77 volunteers were included from a residential professional college. All study subjects (control toothpaste users and test toothpowder users) plaque control measures. All study subjects were instructed to rinse with 5 ml 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash for 1 minute, twice and one cup of double tea bag solution three times daily for three weeks. Subjects were randomized into test (n=36) and control (n=36) groups. Toothpaste (control) and toothpowder (test) was used for two weeks to see the effects on removing stains on the labial surfaces of 12 anterior teeth. For measuring dental extrinsic stains Lobene Stain Index (SI) was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The amount of stain following the use of toothpaste and toothpowder was more controlled with the experimental toothpowder. For all sites combined, there was evidence that the experimental toothpowder was significantly superior to toothpaste in reducing stain area (p<.001), stain intensity (p<.001) and composite/product (area × intensity) (p<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stain removing efficacy of toothpowder was significantly higher as compared with toothpaste. A toothpowder may be expected to be of benefit in controlling and removing extrinsic dental staining.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology & Oral Medicine, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, KSA ; Department of Periodontology & Oral Medicine, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, KSA.
authors.forename: Muhammad Khalil
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: University Medical & Dental College, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Akhtar Hussain
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bokhari
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, KSA.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haleem
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, Sheikh Zayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kareem
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, Sheikh Zayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ayyaz Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Tasleem
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hosein
authors.affiliation: Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Usama
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Khan
keywords: Dental Extrinsic Stains; Essential Oil; Lobene Stain Index (SI); Toothpaste; Toothpowder