Clinical efficacy of phase I therapy combined with a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice on generalized chronic periodontitis

Background/purposePeriodontal disease is a plaque-induced infection; therefore successful periodontal therapy is dependent on anti-infective procedures. Currently, many clinicians use a combination of adjunctive chemotherapeutic agents in non-surgical periodontal therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of using triclosan/copolymer toothpaste on improving the periodontal health during phase I periodontal treatment.Materials and methodsThis study was performed at the Department of Periodontics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital. Forty participants with generalized chronic periodontitis who provided informed consent were included in the study. At the baseline examination, the pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and full-mouth plaque score (FMPS) were recorded before phase I therapy began. The subjects were assigned to 2 groups. The experimental group used a triclosan/copolymer-containing toothpaste, whereas the control group used only a standard fluoride toothpaste without antibacterial ingredients. All participants received full-mouth ultrasonic scaling and root planing with intensive oral hygiene instruction. After 6 weeks, the examinations were repeated and results recorded.ResultsThere were no statistical significant differences (P > 0.05) in the baseline data collected between the experimental and control groups. After phase I therapy, the PD, CAL, BOP, and FMPS all improved in both the control and experimental groups (P < 0.05). The use of triclosan/copolymer toothpaste was found to have significantly reduced the BOP and FMPS compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In the group with PDs >6 mm, the PD and CAL also showed significant improvements versus the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionAn oral hygiene regimen including triclosan/copolymer-containing toothpaste can sustain the short-term effect of phase I therapy for patients with generalized chronic periodontitis.