An evaluation of 6 dentifrice formulations for supragingival anticalculus and antiplaque activity

A 4 week, double blind clinical trial was conducted to assess the antiplaque/anticalculus activity of test dentifrices containing varying levels of zinc citrate. Subjects were divided into 6 groups, 4 experimental, 1 positive control and a placebo group. All subjects only brushed at home using the placebo control during study weeks 1 and 3. Plaque and calculus were collected at the end of study weeks 2 and 4 on mylar strips worn on lower incisor teeth. Dentifrice efficacy was assessed by comparing group dry and ash weight decrements. While there were no significant differences between the test and control groups, there was a demonstrable trend toward greater inhibition with higher zinc citrate levels, expecially among subjects with high levels of plaque and calculus at baseline.