The relative anticaries effectiveness of three fluoride-containing dentifrices in Puerto Rico

The objective of this research was to evaluate the anticaries effectiveness of a low-dose (500 ppm F, low-NaF) sodium fluoride dentifrice, a high-dose (2,800 ppm F, high-NaF) sodium fluoride dentifrice and an experimental 0.454% stabilized stannous fluoride (1,100 ppm F) with sodium hexametaphosphate (SnF2-HMP) dentifrice, each relative to a standard 1,100 ppm F sodium fluoride positive control dentifrice. Subjects (n = 955, with approximately 239 per group) with a mean age of 10.6 (approximately 9-12 years) were randomly assigned to one of four dentifrice treatments. Two calibrated examiners independently measured visual-tactile caries as DMFS that was supplemented with a radiographic examination at baseline, 12 months and 24 months for each subject. Generally similar results were independently observed by both examiners at the conclusion of the 2-year study period. Considering all subjects that attended at least 60% of the supervised brushing sessions, statistically significantly less caries was observed in the high-NaF group compared to the control group. Similarly, statistically significantly less caries was observed in the SnF2-HMP group as compared to the control group. Differences in caries increments between the low-NaF and control groups were not statistically significant. One of the examiners observed these same statistically significant differences after 1 year. In conclusion, the results of this clinical trial indicated that while no difference in caries increments was observed between the low-NaF and control groups, both the high-NaF and the SnF2-HMP groups experienced significantly fewer lesions than the control group.