Comparative three-year caries protection from an aluminum-containing and a fluoride-containing toothpaste

In the present study, 2,087 fifth-graders (mean age: 12 years) from two cohorts entered a 3-year clinical toothpaste trial. The study subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: one group was a positive control using a 0.83% NaFPO3 toothpaste, while the other group brushed with a test toothpaste containing 1.77% KAl(SO4). Both toothpastes were used unsupervised at home. One set of bite-wing radiographs was obtained at the beginning of the trial and another at the 3-year follow-up. Clinical registrations of caries were performed by the municipal dentists responsible for the child's dental care. After 3 years, the mean caries increment was significantly higher in the group using the aluminum-containing toothpaste measured both clinically and radiographically.