Effect of whitening gels on the surface roughness of restorative materials in situ.

Peroxide gels are effective in changing tooth colour but their effect on restorative materials has been poorly studied. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the impact of a commercially available whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide and a sodium percarbonate formulation on the surface of restorative materials. A total of 12 subjects participated in a double-blinded crossover study. Each wore an intra-oral appliance containing five bovine enamel blocks restored with amalgam, posterior composite, microfilled composite, glass ionomer cement and porcelain. Appliances were worn continuously for 14 days and whitening products were applied twice daily. After 14 days the appliances were removed and values for roughness (R(a)) were obtained using atomic force microscopy. Mean values of R(a) were assessed between baseline and 14 days, and although minor variations were seen, there were no statistically significant differences detected for any material or any whitening product.

Efficacy of two dentifrices on removal of natural extrinsic stain.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 6-week effect on natural extrinsic dental stain from the use of a dentifrice containing 10% aluminum oxide, 1500 ppm sodium monofluorophosphate in a precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) base or a second dentifrice containing 0.5% calcium peroxide (CP), 1500 ppm sodium monofluorophosphate in a PCC base compared to a fluoride placebo dentifrice without stain removal ingredients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 94 subjects were entered in the study, and stratified into three balanced groups according to their baseline mean Lobene Stain Index scores. The three groups were randomly assigned to use one of the two test dentifrices or the placebo dentifrice. The three groups were well balanced with regard to their mean baseline stain index scores, gender and tobacco habits. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for 1 minute with their assigned dentifrice and a commercially available soft bristled toothbrush. Extrinsic dental stain examinations, which included mean stain area and mean stain intensity, were conducted at baseline and 6 weeks. Examinations were conducted by the same dental examiner (F.A.) on the subjects at each examination. RESULTS: After 6 weeks' use of their assigned products, those subjects in the aluminum oxide/PCC dentifrice group and those subjects in the CP/PCC dentifrice group demonstrated statistically significant improvements, as compared to the fluoride placebo dentifrice group without stain removal ingredients.

Effect of a mouthrinse containing triclosan and a copolymer on plaque formation in the absence of oral hygiene.

Twenty male and female adult subjects were entered into a 7-week, double-blind clinical study to determine the effect on plaque formation of a mouthrinse containing 0.03% [corrected] triclosan and 0.25% of a copolymer of methoxyethylene and maleic acid, as compared to 1) a water placebo mouthrinse, 2) a matching alcohol placebo mouthrinse, and 3) Plax antiplaque pre-brushing dental rinse. The subjects were stratified according to their initial plaque scores and assigned in a type of randomized block design (repeated Latin square), so that each subject received each of the four mouthrinses only once for 1 week during the study. The subjects did not use any other oral hygiene procedure (including use of a toothbrush and dentifrice) during the 1-week period of time when they rinsed with their assigned mouthrinse product. The results indicated that use of the triclosan/copolymer mouthrinse provided a 49.8% reduction in supragingival plaque formation compared to the water placebo mouthrinse. The difference was statistically significant at the 99% level of confidence (P less than .01). Similarly, the use of the triclosan/copolymer mouthrinse provided a 47.6% reduction in supragingival plaque formation compared to Plax antiplaque pre-brushing dental rinse. The difference was statistically significant at the 99% level of confidence (P less than .01). The results further indicated that use of the triclosan/copolymer provided a 31.2% reduction in supragingival plaque formation compared to the alcohol placebo mouthrinse. The difference was statistically significant at the 99% level of confidence (P less than .01).