Antiplaque effects of dentifrices containing triclosan/copolymer/NaF system versus triclosan dentifrices without the copolymer.

A dentifrice containing triclosan/PVM/MA, Colgate Gum Protection Formula Toothpaste (GPF), was found to be highly effective against oral bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.3 to 5.35 micrograms/ml. A variety of in vitro model systems simulating oral environment were used to compare dentifrices containing triclosan/PVM/MA versus the dentifrices containing triclosan without PVM/MA, such as Crest Gum Health Toothpaste (CGH) and Neo-Mentadent P Toothpaste (N-MP). The uptake of triclosan on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (HA) disks and buccal epithelial cells was significantly higher from the GPF versus the other dentifrices. Uptake on HA disks was 132 micrograms/disk versus 11 micrograms/disk from CGH; on buccal epithelial cells the uptake was 59 micrograms/2 x 10(5) cells with GPF versus 30.0 micrograms with CGH per same number of cells. The retained triclosan on the surfaces provided a sustained and higher antibacterial effect up to 4 hours post-treatment with GPF, but not with N-MP and CGH. In dynamic plaque model systems such as the chemostat or the controlled saliva flow system, GPF was significantly (P = 0.05) more effective than N-MP or CGH in reducing plaque thickness, protein and carbohydrate contents of plaque films. Collectively, the results of these microbiological and biochemical investigations indicate that the GPF has the potential to provide superior clinical efficacy versus the dentifrices without the copolymer.