Effect of a stannous fluoride dentifrice on plaque formation and removal: a digital plaque imaging study

A repeated measures digital imaging technique (Digital Plaque Image Analysis-DPIA) was used to assess the antiplaque effectiveness of a 0.454% stannous fluoride dentifrice.

Subjects were qualified to enter the study based upon a previous assessment of dental plaque accumulation while brushing with a standard (non-antimicrobial) fluoridated dentifrice. Fourteen qualifying subjects were entered into a cross-over study design, including the use of a standard 0.243% sodium fluoride (NaF) dentifrice, or a 0.454% stannous fluoride (SnF,) dentifrice. Cross-over periods were separated by a one-week washout. During the assigned treatments, subjects visited the imaging laboratory on six separate days over two weeks, reporting each day for three separate assessments of plaque accumulation, as assessed by DPIA. On each "grading day," subjects entered for plaque assessments prior to morning tooth brushing, and without consuming any food or beverages. Following this morning "pre-brushing" assessment, subjects brushed with the assigned dentifrice and then had plaque immediately reassessed (morning post-brushing). Subjects also reported to the imaging clinic for an afternoon plaque regrowth assessment. Subjects were again required to avoid food and drink for one hour prior to this measurement.

The SnF2 dentifrice was observed to produce statistically significant reductions in dental plaque, measuring 24.4% in the morning pre-brushing, and 27.9% in the afternoon assessment. Tooth brushing was observed to significantly reduce plaque on the teeth in the morning post-brushing for subjects using either the standard NaF or the SnF2 dentifrice. There were no statistically significant differences in plaque coverage on teeth following tooth brushing with the NaF (6.3% coverage) or SnF2 (6.2% coverage) dentifrices.

Use of a 0.454% SnF2 dentifrice produced statistically significant reductions in dental plaque formation as compared to the similar use of a standard 0.243% NaF dentifrice.