Clinical study of a pre-brush rinse and a triclosan/copolymer mouthrinse: effect on plaque formation.

A 6-day, double-blind parallel clinical study was conducted to determine the effect on plaque formation of a mouthrinse containing 0.03% triclosan (Irgacare MP) and 0.25% of a copolymer of methoxyethylene and maleic acid (Gantrez), as compared to a flavored/colored water placebo mouthrinse and Plax antiplaque pre-brushing dental rinse. A total of 60 subjects were stratified into three balanced groups using their pre-prophylaxis Plaque Index score. All subjects received a thorough oral prophylaxis at the start of the study. Each group was randomly assigned to the use of either the water placebo mouthrinse, the Plax mouthrinse or the mouthrinse containing triclosan/copolymer. Subjects rinsed twice daily (mornings and evenings) for 1 minute with 15 cc of their assigned mouthrinse. Immediately after rinsing, subjects brushed their teeth for 30 seconds with a commercially available dentifrice containing 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate in a silica base and a soft-bristled toothbrush. The morning rinsing/brushing procedure was performed under the supervision at the clinical facility. The evening rinsing/brushing procedure was conducted at home. After 5 days' use of their assigned mouthrinse, subjects were evaluated by the dental examiner for plaque formation. The results indicated that the triclosan/copolymer mouthrinse, when used as a pre-brush rinse prior to regular toothbrushing, provided statistically significant reductions in supragingival plaque formation, when compared to both a pre-brush water placebo mouthrinse (-39.83%) or Plax antiplaque prebrushing dental rinse (-37.30%).