Dental Plaque Removal and Re-Accumulation: A Clinical Randomized Pilot Study Evaluating a Gel Dentifrice Containing 2.6% Edathamil.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this clinical study was to determine the effects of a dental gel containing 2.6% edathamil on overnight plaque re-accumulation and plaque removal. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized crossover study, 10 subjects first brushed for one week with a washout toothpaste. On the evening of Day 7, prior to tooth brushing, Plaque Index (PI) was recorded, then plaque stained and photographed. Subsequently subjects were randomized to either brush with the test dental gel or the control. After overnight plaque accumulation, PI was recorded. Plaque was stained and photographed before and after subjects brushed with the same toothpaste as the previous night. Subsequently, the process was repeated with the second toothpaste. Image J software was used to quantify plaque presence. RESULTS: Mean increase in PI overnight after brushing (1.78 versus 0.94) and final PI after tooth brushing the next morning (2.20 versus 1.31) were significantly (p < 0.05) better after use of the test gel. Tooth surface covered by plaque overnight was significantly higher after using the control gel (22.3%) than the test gel (11.8%; p < 0.05). After morning brushing, the residual area of plaque on the teeth was significantly higher for the control gel (9.2%) than for the test gel (3.6%; (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A test dental gel more effectively reduced overnight plaque re-accumulation and achieved better plaque removal than a control dentifrice.