Comparing plaque inhibition effect of two different dentifrices with digital plaque image analysis

The aim of this study was to compare the plaque inhibition benefit of a Novamin dentifrice to a novel stannous complex dentifrice under normal use conditions. A total of 31 subjects were randomized to a three-period, double blind, two treatment crossover sequence using; B) NovaMin A) Stannous Complex, both in combination with a standard manual toothbrush. Subjects used treatment twice daily for 17 days before washout and crossover. In the third period they repeated one treatment to control for carryover effects. Digital Plaque Image Analysis (DPIA) was conducted in the third week of treatment to objectively assess: (a) morning pre-brushing plaque; (b) morning post-brushing plaque (morning); and (c) afternoon. All 31 subjects completed the trial and no adverse reactions were reported. Stannous complex provided significantly (p=0.0304) lower overnight pre-brush plaque re-growth by 10.8% relative to the NovaMin with estimated means of 14.02 and 15.72 respectively. After brushing with stannous complex, plaque levels were again significantly (p=0.0437) lower than NovaMin by 14.2%) with estimated means of 5.62 and 6.55, respectively. In the mid-afternoon, stannous complex once again demonstrated significantly (p=0.0078) lower plaque re-growth (by 14.8%) relative to NovaMin, with estimated means of 10.51 and 12.34, respectively. For each time-point, the carryover and period effects were not statistically significant (p> 0.30). When using the stannous complex dentifrice subjects had significantly less plaque than when using NovaMin dentifrice.