Extrinsic stain removal efficacy of a new desensitizing dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate and 1450 ppm fluoride.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the extrinsic stain removal efficacy of a new Pro-Argin formula whitening dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, a high cleaning calcium carbonate and 1450 ppm fluoride, as monofluorophosphate, after brushing twice daily for 4 and 8 weeks.

METHODS: At the baseline visit, 92 adult subjects were stratified based on their Lobene Stain Index scores and randomized into two treatment groups; one using the new Pro-Argin formula whitening dentifrice (test group) and the other using the original Pro-Argin formula dentifrice (control group). Subjects were instructed to brush twice daily for the duration of the study. Tooth stain evaluations were conducted as stain area and stain intensity according to the Lobene Stain Index.

RESULTS: All 92 enrolled subjects complied with the protocol and completed the 8-week study. Baseline scores demonstrated no significant differences between the two treatment groups for the evaluated area and intensity parameters of stain (P > 0.05). At both the 4- and 8-week post-use evaluations, subjects brushing with the test dentifrice demonstrated significant reductions for all stain parameters versus the control (P < 0.05). Relative to the control group, the test group demonstrated reductions in mean stain intensity scores of 9.7% and 17.9% at the 4- and 8-week evaluations, respectively. Corresponding reductions in mean stain area scores for the test group relative to the control were 11.7% and 20.8% at the 4- and 8-week evaluations, respectively. (Am JDent 2010;23 Sp Is A:36A-40A).