A review of the effects of stannous fluoride on gingivitis.

AIM To review the literature on the effects of stannous fluoride on gingivitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS The Medline and cochrane central register of controlled trials were searched up to August 2005 to identify appropriate studies. The primary outcome measure was gingivitis. RESULTS Independent screening of titles and abstracts of 542 papers resulted in 36 publications (inter-reviewer ê score of 0.76), out of which 15 papers finally fulfilled the criteria of eligibility. For SnF(2)dentifrices, a statistically significant reduction in gingivitis was noted in comparison with control (weighted mean difference (WMD) of 0.15 (gingival index) and 0.21 (gingivitis severity index) (test for heterogeneity p<0.00001, I(2)=91.1% and p=0.03, I(2)=80.1%, respectively)). With regard to plaque reduction inconsistent results existed. On using the plaque index no differences were found, whereas meta-analysis of the Turesky index provided a WMD of 0.31 (p=0.01, test for heterogeneity p<0.0001, I(2)=91.7%). Because of insufficient data, a meta-analysis for SnF(2)mouth rinse and dentifrice/mouthrinse formulations was not performed. CONCLUSIONS The use of SnF(2) dentifrices results in gingivitis and plaque reduction when compared with a conventional dentifrice. The precise magnitude of this effect was difficult to assess because of a high level of heterogeneity in study outcomes.