A 6-month, single-blind and parallel clinical study was conducted to compare the effects of
dentifrice containing 0.3%
triclosan and 2.0% of copolymer (methoxyethylene and
maleic acid) with a customary
oral hygiene procedure on supragingival plaque formation and
gingivitis. The 124 subjects were stratified into two balanced groups on the basis of their baseline plaque and
gingivitis scores. After complete oral prophylaxis, subjects were assigned to use either a
triclosan/copolymer
dentifrice or to practice their customary
oral hygiene care for 6 months. Plaque formation and
gingivitis were scored at 3 and 6 months. After 3 and 6 months,
triclosan/copolymer produced 7.17% and 12.07% significantly greater reduction of plaque formation than the customary
oral hygiene group, respectively.
Triclosan/copolymer significantly reduced
gingivitis by 5.20% at 3 months, while no significant differences between the two groups were observed at 6 months. Likewise,
triclosan/copolymer provided 8.70% and 16.33% significantly greater reduction of plaque severity index at 3- and 6-month evaluation, respectively.
Gingivitis severity index was significantly reduced by 25% at 3 months, but there were no differences between the two groups at 6 months. These results indicate that the
triclosan/copolymer
dentifrice was better than the customary
oral hygiene care in preventing supragingival plaque formation up to 6 months and in reducing
gingivitis up to 3 months.