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 .
Reduction of plaque formation and gingivitis by a dentifrice containing triclosan and copolymer.
A 6-month , single-blind and parallel clinical study was conducted to compare the effects of dentifrice containing 0.3 % triclosan and 2.0 % of copolymer ( methoxyethylene and maleic acid ) with a customary oral hygiene procedure on supragingival plaque formation and gingivitis . The 124 subjects were stratified into two balanced groups on the basis of their baseline plaque and gingivitis scores . After complete oral prophylaxis , subjects were assigned to use either a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice or to practice their customary oral hygiene care for 6 months .  Plaque formation and gingivitis were scored at 3 and 6 months . After 3 and 6 months , triclosan/copolymer produced 7.17 % and 12.07 % significantly greater reduction of plaque formation than the customary oral hygiene group , respectively . Triclosan/copolymer significantly reduced gingivitis by 5.20 % at 3 months , while no significant differences between the two groups were observed at 6 months . Likewise , triclosan/copolymer provided 8.70 % and 16.33 % significantly greater reduction of plaque severity index at 3- and 6-month evaluation , respectively . Gingivitis severity index was significantly reduced by 25 % at 3 months , but there were no differences between the two groups at 6 months . These results indicate that the triclosan/copolymer dentifrice was better than the customary oral hygiene care in preventing supragingival plaque formation up to 6 months and in reducing gingivitis up to 3 months
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 .