Gingivitis and plaque prevention using three commercially available dentifrices: A comparative clinical and microbiological randomized control parallel study.

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the clinical and microbiological efficacy of Group I-delmopinol dentifrice, Group II-chlorhexidine, and Group III-triclosan-containing regularly used control dentifrice on plaque formation and gingivitis.

Materials and Methods: A total of 45 healthy volunteer students fulfilling the inclusion criteria are recruited for this randomized control parallel study. All the individuals were randomly assigned into 3 groups depending on the dentifrice prescribed. After the selection of individuals, thorough scaling and polishing were performed for all the individuals, and in a 4 days' washout period, they were refrained from regular oral hygiene maintenance and 0.9% NaCl (normal saline) rinse was prescribed to obtain plaque regrowth. Microbiological morphotypes were assessed using darkfield microscope.

Statistical Analysis: The data were analyzed using the SPSS-software 19.00 program. The intragroup comparison of clinical parameters was done using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test, and intergroup comparison was done by Mann-Whitney U-test. The intragroup comparison of clinical parameters including modified staining index, the supragingival microbiota such as cocci, bacilli, and spirochetes scores was done at various study intervals using one-way ANOVA, and intergroup comparison was done using Tukey's multiple post hoc test.

Results: The results showed that statistically significant correlation between Group II and Group III at 15 and 30 days and between Group I and Group II at 30 days with cocci and bacilli but not spirochetes.

Conclusion: Group II showed better plaque and gingivitis reduction compared to other active groups. To validate the results of the present study, further long-term studies with larger sample size and evaluation using known and proven study designs on gingivitis patients are needed.