Rinses for the control of supragingival calculus formation

Recent epidemiologic studies have confirmed the widespread presence of calculus in teenagers and adults of all ages. Among the multiple anticalculus strategies that have been proposed over the years inhibition of crystal growth has been the most attractive. Current formulations in antitartar toothpastes utilise either zinc salts or various pyrophosphate combinations. In mouthrinses three recent clinical studies have established the superiority of a formulation that contains 1 per cent soluble pyrophosphate, 0.45 per cent of the copolymer of methoxyethelene and maleic acid (Gantrez) and 0.02 per cent sodium fluoride. Three and six month studies demonstrated reductions in calculus scores of 31.7-37.7 per cent using the Volpe-Manhold scoring method. A comparative study of 1 per cent pyrophosphate rinses with and without the copolymer (Gantrez) affirmed its importance to the efficacy of the formulation (31.7 per cent vs 14.4 per cent).