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Stain removal efficacy of two new fluoride dentifrices containing essential oils
1The Warner-Lambert Consumer Healthcare Division of the Warner-Lambert Consumer Group of Pfizer, Morris Plains, NJ 07950, USA. duncan.yu@wl.com
Purpose:
To assess in vitro the stain removal efficacy of two new antiplaque/antigingivitis dentifrices utilizing a modification of a previously validated Stookey method.
Materials And Methods:
The modifications to the original Stookey method are the following: (1) study design; three 5 x 5 Latin Squares were employed to minimize bias stemming from position or test run in the study. (2) statistical success criteria; a test formulation was judged to be effective if the lower one-sided 95% confidence limit was "equal to or higher than" 50 since a minimum PCR (pellicle cleaning ratio) score of 50 is needed for a dentifrice to show clinical efficacy. The two test dentifrice formulations contained a fluoride source, a silica abrasive system, and four essential oils. The ADA reference abrasive material (calcium pyrophosphate) and placebo toothpaste were included as positive and negative controls, respectively.
Results:
Compared to the negative control, the positive control exhibited a statistically higher PCR score; therefore, the validity of this modified Stookey method was confirmed. Additionally, the lower limits of the one-sided 95% confidence interval for the two dentifrice formulations were above the threshold PCR of 50; therefore, this modified Stookey method should predict that both essential oil-containing dentifrices possess acceptable stain removal power.

