A randomized clinical trial to compare plaque inhibition of a sodium fluoride/potassium nitrate dentifrice versus a stabilized stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate dentifrice.

AIM To compare the plaque inhibition efficacy of a sodium fluoride/potassium nitrate (NaF/KNO3 with 1450 ppm F) test dentifrice to a 0.454% stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate/sodium fluoride positive control dentifrice (SnF2/SHMP with 1450 ppm F). METHODS AND MATERIALS Twenty-five subjects were randomized to a two-period, two-treatment, double blind crossover sequence using NaF/KNO3 (Sensodyne ProNamel dentifrice) and SnF2/SHMP (blend-a-med* EXPERT GUMS PROTECTION dentifrice). Each treatment was conducted with a standard manual toothbrush (Oral-B P35 Indicator). Digital plaque image analysis (DPIA) was used on three consecutive days to evaluate: (a) overnight plaque formation (A.M. pre-brushing); (b) following 40 seconds of brushing with the test product (A.M. post-brushing); and (c) mid-afternoon (P.M.). Images were analysed using an objective computer algorithm to calculate the total area of visible plaque. A four-day washout period was instituted for the crossover phase. RESULTS All 25 subjects completed the study. The SnF2/SHMP positive control dentifrice provided statistically significantly lower levels of plaque area coverage versus the NaF/KNO3 test dentifrice at each timepoint. For the SnF2/SHMP dentifrice, plaque coverage was 23.0% lower (p< 0.0001) at A.M. pre-brushing, 17.3% (p= 0.0163) lower at A.M. post-brushing, and 22.6% (p= 0.0004) lower at the P.M. measure relative to the NaF/KNO3 dentifrice. CONCLUSION The SnF2/SHMP dentifrice (blend-a-med EXPERT GUMS PROTECTION) inhibits plaque regrowth both overnight and during the day to a significantly greater degree than the NaF/KNO3 dentifrice (Sensodyne ProNamel). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Dentists recommending an effective home use dentifrice for patients experiencing dentinal hypersensitivity and/or dental erosion may previously have needed to compromise on other key benefits, such as plaque control. blend-a-med EXPERT GUMS PROTECTION is a dentifrice when integrated into an oral hygiene routine can provide a proven treatment for hypersensitivity, dental erosion, and a reduction in the regrowth of plaque.