A study to compare the effects of two dentifrices on adult dental calculus formation

In a three month double-blind clinical trial, a tartar control dentifrice formulation containing soluble pyrophosphates was compared to a placebo formula. Both formulations contained sodium fluoride. Subjects on the active dentifrice showed a 38% reduction in calculus severity and a 25% increase in calculus-free sites compared to the placebo group. Despite obvious differences in inactive excipients, these values are similar to reported results from other commercially available tartar control dentifrices. No untoward side effects occurred throughout the test period.