The comparative plaque removal efficacy of two advanced manual toothbrush designs in two independent clinical studies.

Two independent studies were conducted to evaluate and compare the clinical performance of two commercially available manual toothbrushes (Colgate Total Professional and the Oral-B Cross Action). Study I was a short-term, examiner-blind crossover clinical trial (N = 30) designed to measure the removal of 24-hour plaque build-up. All subjects refrained from brushing for 24 hours and were screened for dental plaque on the facial and lingual surfaces of all natural teeth using the Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index. Patients then received one of the two study toothbrushes and brushed their teeth for a timed one minute. They were then re-assessed for plaque. The data showed that the Colgate Total Professional toothbrush performed better than the Oral-B Cross Action toothbrush in reducing whole-mouth plaque scores (p < 0.001). Study II was a definitive six-week, single-blind clinical trial (N = 55), conducted in harmony with American Dental Association guidelines, to assess the ability of the two toothbrushes to reduce supragingival plaque and gingivitis. In this study, the subjects were stratified into two balanced groups based on their baseline plaque and gingivitis scores. Subjects were then instructed to continue with their normal brushing technique twice daily for one minute with their assigned toothbrush and a commercially available dentifrice. Examinations for plaque (Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index), and gingivitis (Loe-Silness Gingival Index) were conducted by the same examiner at baseline, after three weeks, and again after six weeks. The data from this long-term clinical trial showed that the Colgate Total Professional toothbrush exhibited statistically significantly lower plaque and gingivitis scores than did the Oral-B Cross Action toothbrush. The magnitudes of these differences were 29.5% for plaque and 31.1% for gingivitis. These reductions are adequate to support the claim that the Colgate Total Professional toothbrush provides clinically superior control of supragingival plaque and gingivitis, when studied in accordance with the criteria provided by the 1999 Guidelines of the American Dental Association for determining superiority.

A new desensitizing dentifrice--an 8-week clinical investigation.

An 8-week, double-blind, three-way clinical trial compared the dentinal hypersensitivity-reducing effectiveness of a new dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride in a silica base (Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength Toothpaste, Colgate-Palmolive Co.) with a commercially available desensitizing dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base (Sensodyne Fresh Mint Toothpaste, Block Drug Company, Inc.) and a nondesensitizing dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base (Colgate Winterfresh Gel, Colgate-Palmolive Co.). One hundred nine subjects were stratified into three balanced groups according to gender, age, mean baseline tactile (Yeaple Probe), and thermal (air blast) scores. The test products were randomly assigned to each group with instructions to brush twice daily. Oral examinations with tactile and thermal assessments were repeated after 4 and 8 weeks. The new dentifrice group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in tactile and thermal sensitivity over the two control groups.

Comparative investigation of the desensitizing efficacy of a new dentifrice: a 14-day clinical study.

The effect on dentinal hypersensitivity from the use of a new formulation dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride in a silica base (Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength Toothpaste, Colgate-Palmolive Co.) over a 14-day period was compared to a commercially available, nondesensitizing control dentifrice (Colgate Winterfresh Gel, Colgate-Palmolive Co.). A total of 66 subjects were entered into and completed the study. They were stratified into two balanced groups according to their baseline mean tactile (Yeaple Probe) sensitivity scores and air blast (thermal) sensitivity scores. The two groups were randomly assigned to use either the new formulation dentifrice or the commercially available control dentifrice. Participants were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for 1 minute with their assigned dentifrice and a commercially available soft-bristled toothbrush. Dentinal hypersensitivity examinations (tactile and air blast sensitivity) were conducted at baseline and after 3, 7, 10, and 14 days' use of the products. All examinations were conducted by the same examiner. Participants who used the new formulation dentifrice containing potassium nitrate/stannous fluoride/silica demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in both tactile sensitivity and air blast sensitivity after 10 and 14 days' use of the dentifrice (p < 0.05), as compared to a commercially available control dentifrice. It was concluded that a new dentifrice formulation containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride in a silica base provided a statistically significant reduction in dentinal hypersensitivity after only 10 days, as compared to a commercially available nondesensitizing control dentifrice.

Effectiveness of a battery-powered toothbrush on plaque removal: comparison with four manual toothbrushes.

The objective of these four clinical studies was to evaluate the efficacy of the Colgate Actibrush battery-powered toothbrush in comparison with four top-selling manual European toothbrushes (Dr. Best Flex Toothbrush [Germany]; Reach Triple Action Ultra Clean Toothbrush [Germany]; Jordan Multi-Action Toothbrush [Norway]; and Sanogyl Systeme In'Side Double Action Toothbrush [France]) for plaque removal. Each clinical study used a single-use, examiner-blind design in which the Colgate Actibrush battery-powered toothbrush was compared with one of the 4 manual toothbrushes for removal of plaque in adult subjects after 24 hours of no oral hygiene. Supragingival plaque formation was assessed prebrushing and after a 1-minute supervised brushing with either the battery-powered toothbrush or 1 of the manual toothbrushes. After 24 hours of no oral hygiene, Colgate Actibrush removed statistically significantly more plaque than did all 4 of the manual toothbrushes. The results of these clinical studies support the conclusion that Colgate Actibrush is clinically superior for the control of supragingival plaque, compared with the leading selling European manual toothbrushes.

Comparative efficacy of a new battery-powered toothbrush and an electric toothbrush on plaque removal.

This single-use, examiner-blind clinical study evaluated the plaque-removal efficacy of a new, battery-powered toothbrush (Colgate Actibrush) compared to a commercially available electric toothbrush (Braun Oral-B Plaque Remover) after 24 hours of no oral hygiene. Adult men and women reported to the clinical facility having refrained from oral hygiene procedures for 24 hours, and were stratified into 2 balanced groups according to plaque (prebrushing) scores. Participants then brushed their teeth for 1 minute, under supervision, with their assigned toothbrush and a commercially available toothpaste (Colgate Cavity Protection Great Regular Flavor Fluoride Toothpaste) and again were evaluated for supragingival plaque (postbrushing). The same dental examiner conducted the prebrushing and postbrushing plaque examinations. The study found no statistically significant difference in plaque removal between the group using the battery-powered toothbrush and the group using the electric toothbrush. Both power toothbrushes were found clinically to be equally effective with regard to the removal of 24-hour plaque accumulation.

Comparative efficacy of Colgate Actibrush battery-powered toothbrush and Colgate Plus (manual) toothbrush on established plaque and gingivitis: a 30-day clinical study in New Jersey.

The objective of this 30-day clinical study, conducted in harmony with American Dental Association guidelines, was to evaluate the efficacy of a new battery-powered toothbrush (Colgate Actibrush) relative to a manual toothbrush (Colgate Plus Diamond Head Toothbrush, Full Head, Soft Bristle) in the control of supragingival plaque and gingivitis. A total of 110 adult men and women from the Northern New Jersey area were entered into the study and stratified into 2 balanced groups according to baseline plaque and gingivitis scores. Participants were instructed to brush twice daily (morning and evening) for 1 minute with their assigned toothbrush and a commercially available toothpaste (Colgate Cavity Protection Great Regular Flavor Fluoride Toothpaste). Examinations for plaque and gingivitis were conducted by the same dental examiner at baseline, after 15 days, and again after 30 days of product use. All 110 participants complied with the protocol and completed the 30-day clinical study. At the 30-day examinations, the group using the Colgate Actibrush battery-powered toothbrush exhibited a statistically significant greater reduction in plaque (26.7%) and in gingivitis (25.8%) than did the group who used the Colgate Plus Diamond Head Toothbrush. The results of this 30-day clinical study support the conclusion that the Colgate Actibrush battery-powered toothbrush provides a clinically superior level of efficacy for the control of supragingival plaque and for the control of gingivitis when compared with a manual toothbrush.

Desensitizing efficacy of Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength and Fresh Mint Sensodyne dentifrices.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relative effectiveness provided by a new dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride in a silica base (Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength dentifrice) for reducing dentin hypersensitivity over an 8-wk period, as compared to that provided by a commercially-available antihypersensitivity dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate in a dicalcium phosphate base (Fresh Mint Sensodyne dentifrice). MATERIALS AND METHODS: To qualify for participation in this examiner-blind clinical study, male and female adults from the central New Jersey area were required to present with tactile and air blast dentin hypersensitivity in at least two non-molar teeth at two examinations, spaced 1 wk apart. Qualifying subjects were randomized into two treatment groups, which were balanced for gender, age, and baseline sensitivity scores. Subjects were provided with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Examinations for tactile and air blast sensitivity were repeated after 4 wks' use of the study dentifrices, and again after 8 wks' usage. 97 subjects complied with the protocol, and completed the entire study. RESULTS: After 4 wks, subjects assigned to the Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength dentifrice group exhibited a statistically significant improvement over the Sensodyne dentifrice group with respect to tactile sensitivity scores, and a statistically significant improvement over the Sensodyne dentifrice group with respect to air blast sensitivity scores. Correspondingly significant improvements were presented after 8 wks. Thus, the results of this examiner-blind clinical study support the conclusion that the Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.454% stannous fluoride in a silica base provided superior levels of control of tactile and air blast sensitivity than the clinically tested, commercially-available anti-hypersensitivity dentifrice Sensodyne dentifrice containing 5.0% potassium nitrate and 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate in a dicalcium phosphate base.

Comparison of the laboratory interproximal access efficacy of the Colgate precision toothbrush and the Crest complete toothbrush.

The Colgate Precision toothbrush was compared to the Crest Complete toothbrush for interproximal access efficacy using a laboratory device designed to simulate clinical toothbrushing motions and weights. Each vertical and horizontal brushing motion was timed for one minute for each of the three brushing weights tested; 250, 500 or 750g. Pressure-sensitive paper was placed around all simulated tooth surfaces to record the brushing strokes. The measurements of the recorded brushing strokes provided the interproximal access efficacy of all brushes. A total of twenty-four Colgate Precision toothbrushes and twenty-four Crest Complete toothbrushes were tested for both brushing motions, both tooth shapes and all three brushing weights, resulting in a total of 576 measurements. With vertical brushing motion using both tooth shapes tested and at all brushing weights, the Colgate Precision toothbrush had significantly greater interproximal access efficacy (p < 0.01 by ANOVA) than the Crest Complete toothbrush. With horizontal brushing motion on both tooth shapes tested, at the 500 and 750g brushing weights, the Colgate Precision toothbrush had significantly higher interproximal access efficacy (p < 0.01 by ANOVA) than the Crest Complete toothbrush. When total interproximal access efficacy means (comparing results of all weights tested) were evaluated, the Colgate Precision toothbrush was superior (p < 0.01) to the Crest Complete product for both brushing motions and tooth shapes tested.

Laboratory evaluations of interproximal access of two differently bristled manual toothbrushes.

The Colgate Rippled Bristles toothbrush was compared to the Oral-B 40 toothbrush using a laboratory device which simulates horizontal and vertical brushing movements under pressures of 250, 500 and 750 grams. Interproximal access was determined by measuring the width of the brushing stroke on pressure-sensitive paper surrounding anterior or posterior tooth shapes. The Colgate Rippled toothbrush was consistently superior to the Oral-B 40 toothbrush in accomplishing interproximal access in the laboratory tests performed here. On anterior-shaped teeth, the superiority (p < 0.05-0.01) was evident at all pressures tested, with both horizontal and vertical brushing movements. On posterior tooth shapes the Colgate Rippled toothbrush was superior (p < 0.01) to the Oral-B 40 toothbrush at all brushing weights and with both vertical and horizontal motions. When total interproximal access efficacy means were calculated for all brushing weights, the Colgate Rippled toothbrush was superior (p < 0.05-0.01) to the Oral-B 40 toothbrush on both anterior and posterior tooth shapes in the vertical and horizontal brushing motions.

Clinical efficacy of an anticalculus fluoride dentifrice containing triclosan and a copolymer: a 6-month study.

A 6-month, double-blind, parallel and unsupervised clinical study was conducted to compare the effects on supragingival calculus formation of a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan and 2.0% of a copolymer in a 0.243% sodium fluoride/silica base, as compared to a placebo dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base. Subjects were initially stratified into two balanced groups based on their Volpe-Manhold calculus index scores that were obtained from a 3-month pre-test period using a placebo dentifrice. All subjects received an oral prophylaxis and were assigned to the use of either the fluoride/triclosan/copolymer dentifrice or the placebo dentifrice. Seventy adult male and female subjects completed the entire 6-month study. The results after 3-months' use of their respective dentifrices indicated that the subjects using the fluoride/triclosan/copolymer dentifrice had 26.34% less supragingival calculus formation than the subjects using the placebo dentifrice. This reduction in supragingival calculus was significant at the 99% level of confidence. The results after 6 months indicated that the subjects using the fluoride/triclosan/copolymer dentifrice had 36.27% less supragingival calculus formation than the subjects using the placebo dentifrice. This reduction was significant at the 99% level of confidence.

Anticalculus effect of a fluoride dentifrice containing triclosan and a copolymer.

A 3-month, double-blind, parallel and unsupervised clinical study was conducted to compare the effects on supragingival calculus formation of a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan and 2.0% of a copolymer, as compared to a placebo dentifrice. Subjects were initially stratified into two balanced groups based on their Volpe-Manhold Index calculus scores obtained from a 3-month pre-test period using a placebo dentifrice. All subjects received an oral prophylaxis and were assigned to the use of either a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan and 2.0% of a copolymer in a 0.243% sodium fluoride/silica base or a placebo dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base. A total of 79 adult male and female subjects completed the study. The results after 3-months' use of their respective dentifrices indicated that the subjects using the triclosan/copolymer dentifrice had 26.34% less supragingival calculus formation than the subjects using the placebo dentifrice. This reduction in supragingival calculus was significant at greater than 97% level of confidence.

Ultrastructural basis for the assay of topical acne treatments. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy of untreated comedones.

After two decades of using systemic antibiotics as a main treatment for acne, emphasis is again being placed on topical agents. Thus, it is highly desirable to have a procedure whereby the activity of the various compounds can be evaluated by direct visualization. Scanning electron microscopy combined with transmission electron microscopy provide the tools for such in assay. This study describes the ultrastructure of untreated comedones and provides the baseline or control data necessary for testing topical treatments. Comedones obtained by punch biopsies or comedo extractors were processed for electron microscopy and studied with an ETEC Autoscan Scanning Electron Microscope and with Philips EM 300 and EM 301 Transmission Electron Microscopes. Microorganisms, keratinized cells, sebum, and hairs interact with each other to form the comedonal mass. Corynebacterium acnes and Pityrosporum ovale proliferate abundantly in close association with sebum and penetrate the keratinized cells. Fine structural details of bacteria and yeasts as well as features of host-microbial relationship have been elucidated.