A study to assess the efficacy of a new detergent free, whitening dentifrice in vivo using QLF planimetric analysis

Abstract

To determine the effects of a detergent-free, whitening dentifrice using an in vivo plaque regrowth model with the novel application of QLF as a planimetric analysis tool. A total of 20 subjects took part in a double blind, single-centre, crossover study in which slurry rinses were the only form of plaque control over a 5-day period. Following a washout and prophylaxis the subjects used 2 daily rinses in the absence of all other plaque control methods. Subjects returned to the clinic on the afternoon of day 5 when plaque was disclosed and assessed by the plaque index and area using both a photographic and novel fluorescent planimetric technique. A further 9-day washout was carried out and the rinse period repeated to ensure that each subject had used both experimental and comparator slurries. Twenty subjects completed the trial. The test product showed a significant inhibition of plaque re-growth (16.9%) compared with a fluoride-matched comparator using the Turesky index (P < 0.0001), the photographic planimetric technique (17.5%) (P < 0.0001) and the novel QLF technique (18.4%) (P < 0.0001). The results confirm that plaque inhibition capability of a detergent-free whitening dentifrice is at least as effective as a fluoride matched comparator. QLF is a promising tool for disclosed plaque quantification.