COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF PLAQUE AND GINGIVITIS PREVENTION BY AMF SNF2 ANDNAF - A CLINICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL 9-MONTH STUDY/

This comparative clinical 9-month study was designed to examine the ef ficacy of amine/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) (Meridol(R)) and sodium f luoride (NaF). 150 probands with chronic gingivitis or early signs of periodontitis were divided into 3 randomised groups. Group 1 was given a NaF toothpaste and an NaF mouthrinse, group 2 AmF/SnF2 toothpaste a nd mouthrinse, and group 3 AmF/SnF2 toothpaste and NaF mouthrinse. The probands were examined at intervals (0, 1, 3 and 9 months) under cond itions of a clinical double-blind study. The parameters recorded were the plaque index (PlI), the approximal plaque index (API), the gingiva l index (GI) and the mod. sulcus bleeding index (SBI). The probing dep ths (PD) were also measured. The composition of the supragingival plaq ue was evaluated by dark-field microscopy. A highly significant reduct ion in all clinical parameters was recorded in all 3 groups in the cou rse of the study. The most pronounced reduction in PlI, API, SBI and P D was recorded in group 2. In the group comparison, however, no signif icant differences were recorded. Microbiological examination revealed a highly significant increase in cocci and a decrease in rods in all 3 groups. There was also a significant reduction in spirochetes, filame nts and fusiforms in groups 2 and 3. In group 1, there was a significa nt fall only in fusiforms and small spirochetes. Overall, no significa nt difference in clinical parameters was recorded in the group compari son. However, the use of AmF/SnF2 toothpaste and mouthrinse (group 2) and, to a lesser degree, the combined use of AmF/SnF2 toothpaste and N aF mouthrinse display a favorable microbiological effect. The results from the present double-blind study reveal a reduction in gingival inf lammation and supragingival plaque accumulation with a positive change in plaque flora in all groups. The reduction in potentially gingivopa thogenic bacteria was slightly higher in the amine/stannous fluoride g roup.