The studies in this systematic review provide strong evidence of the antiplaque , antigingivitis effects of multiple agents .
BACKGROUND AND METHODS The author conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the efficacy of  antigingivitis and antiplaque products  in six-month trials .
The clinical effect of a dentifrice containing triclosan and a copolymer in a sodium fluoride/silica base on plaque formation and gingivitis: a six-month clinical study.
A six-month , double-blind clinical study was entered into by three hundred twenty-five ( 325 ) male and female adult subjects to assess the efficacy of a dentifrice containing 0.3 % triclosan ( Irgacare MP , Ciba-Geigy Corp. ) and 2.0 % of a copolymer of methoxyethylene and maleic acid ( Gantrez , ISP Corp. ) on supragingival plaque formation and gingivitis , compared to a placebo dentifrice over a six-month period . Each dentifrice , the triclosan and the placebo , contained 0.243 % sodium fluoride in a silica base .  Only those subjects who were free of periodontal disease ( no pockets > 4 mm ) , demonstrated a level of at least mild gingivitis ( modified Loe-Silness score > or = 1.0 ) and had a modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index score of > or = 1.5 were admitted into the study .  Baseline plaque and gingivitis scores were used to stratify the subjects into two balanced groups . A thorough oral prophylaxis was administered to all subjects . They were then assigned either the triclosan/copolymer dentifrice or the placebo dentifrice to use for the next six months . Evaluation for gingivitis and supragingival plaque formation was made after three and six months . Evaluations made after six ( 6 ) months demonstrated a 17.0 % statistically significant ( at the 99 % level of confidence ) reduction in supragingival plaque formation was provided by the triclosan/copolymer dentifrice , compared to the placebo dentifrice . An 18.6 % statistically significant ( at the 99 % level of confidence ) reduction in plaque formation on the tooth surfaces with the highest plaque formation was provided by the triclosan/copolymer dentifrice , compared to the placebo dentifrice . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS
The studies in this systematic review provide strong evidence of the antiplaque , antigingivitis effects of multiple agents .
BACKGROUND AND METHODS The author conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the efficacy of  antigingivitis and antiplaque products  in six-month trials .