The objective of this double-blind clinical study, conducted following the Volpe-Manhold design for studies of
dental calculus, was to investigate the efficacy of a
dentifrice containing 2%
zinc citrate and 0.76%
sodium monofluorophosphate in a
silica base (
zinc citrate dentifrice) as compared to a control
dentifrice containing 0.76%
sodium monofluorophosphate in a
silica base (control
dentifrice). Adult men and women from the Northern New Jersey area were provided a full oral prophylaxis and assigned the use of a control (non-
tartar-control)
dentifrice for 8 weeks. At the completion of this initial period, participants were assessed for baseline Volpe-Manhold
Calculus Index scores, provided another full prophylaxis, and stratified into two treatment groups that were balanced for age, sex, and baseline
calculus. Participants were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for 1 minute with their assigned
dentifrice, using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Examinations for
dental calculus were again performed after 12 weeks' use of the study
dentifrices. Seventy-five participants complied with the protocol and completed the entire study. At the 12-week examination, the
zinc citrate dentifrice group exhibited a statistically significant 31.9% reduction in mean Volpe-Manhold
Calculus Index score as compared to the control
dentifrice group. Thus, the results of this clinical study support the conclusion that a
dentifrice containing 2%
zinc citrate and 0.76%
sodium monofluorophosphate in a
silica base is efficacious for the control of the development of supragingival
calculus.