| pubmed-article:2678454 | pubmed:abstractText | Several brands of anticalculus dentifrices and mouthrinses claim to reduce the formation of supragingival calculus. These products contain soluble pyrophosphates (with or without Gantrez), zinc citrate trihydrate or zinc chloride which reduce the amount of supragingival but not subgingival calculus after a scaling. Most of the clinical anticalculus trials ran for 3 or 6 months and the calculus reductions were assessed using the Volpe-Manhold Index. This index assesses the coronal extension of supragingival calculus. Calculus reductions varied from 9% to 50% but no plaque scores were quantitated. However, the ADA has stipulated that dentifrices claiming anticalculus effects must clearly state that the products have not therapeutic effect on periodontal diseases. Some of the placebo dentifrices used in the clinical trials also reduced the calculus scores although they are not as yet advertised as anticalculus dentifrices. | lld:pubmed |
