The effectiveness of two test dentifrices on dental plaque formation: a 1-week clinical study.

A 1-week, double-blind clinical study was conducted to compare the effects on plaque formation of two test dentifrices with a placebo dentifrice. Male and female adult subjects received an oral prophylaxis and were randomly allocated to three study groups. The subjects used the dentifrice three times daily and were examined for the presence of plaque after seven days. The results indicated that one of the two test dentifrices, containing 0.3% triclosan, 2% of a copolymer, and 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate in an insoluble sodium metaphosphate abrasive system, significantly reduced plaque formation by 16% when compared to the placebo dentifrice.