Clinical trial NCT02709785
Conditions: Gingivitis Periodontitis
Sponsor: St. Louis University
Start date: 2016-03-01; Completion date: 2017-05-01
Enrollment: 80 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
The aim of this study is to provide evidence on the clinical efficacy of SmartMouth Advanced Clinical Formula mouthrinse in comparison to the efficacy of 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthrinse and a placebo mouthrinse. The placebo will be provided by the sponsor and will be identical to SmartMouth ACF (Advanced Clinical Formula), except it will not contain cetylpyridinium chloride, zinc chloride and sodium chlorite. The primary outcomes include measures of plaque and gingivitis. Secondary outcomes include evaluation of tooth discoloration, taste perception, malodor and calculus.

Detailed description:
Study Population A 10 week double-blinded, randomized clinical study will be conducted on 80 subjects diagnosed with plaque induced gingivitis and/or chronic periodontitis. The study will take place at Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education and Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine.

Research Design and Methods Visit 1 Subjects who sign the informed consent and medical history forms and meet the preliminary entrance criteria will be examined at baseline. All participants will be informed of the nature of the study, its purpose, and any possible risks. Subjects will also be informed as to the length of the study and the specific procedures that will be carried out. Subjects will be informed that this is a voluntary study and that they are free to withdraw from the study at any time.

Clinical measurements of plaque and gingival indices will be taken. A gingival bleeding score will be determined. Examiners will be standardized for scoring.

Gingival index (GI) will be measured using the Loe and Silness method (Loe and Silness 1963). The gingiva will be scored at six sites of each tooth (distobuccal, buccal, mesiobuccal, distolingual, lingual, mesiolingual) and given a score from 0 - 3. By adding the scores and dividing by the total number of sites, the GI for the patient will be obtained. The following criteria will be used for scoring:

0 - Absence of inflammation

1. \- Mild inflammation: slight change in color, slight edema; no bleeding upon probing
2. \- Moderate inflammation: Redness, edema, and glazing; bleeding upon probing
3. \- Severe inflammation: Marked redness and edema; ulceration; tendency to spontaneous bleeding Sites with GI scores of 2 or 3 will be counted as bleeding. A whole mouth total gingival bleeding score will be calculated by summing the number of bleeding sites and dividing by the number of teeth.

Plaque will be scored based on the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (PI) (Turesky 1970). A score of 0 - 5 will be assigned to six sites of each tooth (distobuccal, buccal, mesiobuccal, distolingual, lingual, mesiolingual) following the use of a disclosing solution. The following criteria will be used:

0 - No plaque

1. \- Isolated areas of plaque at gingival margin
2. \- Thin continuous band of plaque at gingival margin (up to 1 mm)
3. \- Band of plaque ˃ 1 mm and ˂ 1/3 of the tooth surface
4. \- Plaque covering 1/3 to ˂ 2/3 of tooth surface
5. \- Plaque covering ≥ 2/3 of tooth surface The Plaque Index for the entire mouth will be determined by dividing the total score by the number of surfaces examined.

The Gingival Index will be measured prior to the Plaque Index. Teeth with gross caries and third molars will not be scored with either index.

Extrinsic tooth stain will be scored on the facial surfaces of the 8 incisor teeth using a modification of the Lobene tooth stain index (SI) (Lobene 1968). Each incisor will be scored for stain area on a scale of 0-3. The sum of the stain scores for the subject will be used as that subject's stain score. Scores will be recorded from 0 to 3 as follows:

0: no stain detected, only tooth color

1. stain over 1/3 of the surface
2. stain over 2/3 of the surface
3. stain over more than 2/3 of the surface Supragingival calculus on the lingual surfaces of the six mandibular anterior teeth will be scored using the Volpe-Manhold calculus index (CI) (Volpe et al. 1965). The supragingival calculus in three defined planes on the lingual surface of each tooth will be measured using a periodontal probe. The measurements will be added and a mean subject score will be calculated.

A complete periodontal examination will be performed for all subjects that meet the inclusion criteria. A panoramic radiograph will be taken for all subjects that do not have full mouth radiographs within the last year.

Safety assessments will be made at each measurement visit. Assessment of the oral soft tissues will be conducted at each visit by visual examination of the oral cavity. All areas will be assessed and reported as normal or abnormal.

Subject compensation: all subjects entered into the study will be given a gift card at the end of visit 2, visit 3 and visit 4.

Visit 2 Visit 2 will occur within 4 weeks of Visit 1. Subjects entered into the study will be randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 (Smart Mouth ACF), Group 2 (0.12% chlorhexidine) or Group 3 (placebo). All subjects will be given a complete dental prophylaxis to remove plaque, calculus, and stain. Written and verbal oral hygiene instructions will be given that include a regular regimen of brushing twice daily and flossing daily. All subjects will be assigned a commercially available ADA accepted toothbrush and dental floss. They will be given a 3 week supply of the assigned mouthrinse with written and verbal instructions for use. Subjects will be instructed not to have their teeth professionally cleaned prior to study completion.

All mouthrinses will be in a plain package and dispensed by the faculty investigators. The package will be labeled with a code to indicate the product. Only the faculty investigators will have access to the code information. Directions for use will be contained in the package. The examiners will not see the product. The examiners will give instructions for mouthrinse use, but they will not be aware which rinse the subjects are using. Each product will contain two solutions which are mixed prior to use.

Visit 3 Subjects will be examined 3 weeks after visit 2. All clinical measurements will be repeated. Each subject will return with any unused rinse or two empty bottles of rinse. Compliance will be determined by regulating the amount of rinse dispensed on a 3 week basis and by the measurement of any unused rinse at the end of two 3 week periods. Additional rinse will be given to each subject after visit 3 for use until the final visit.

Visit 4 Subjects will be examined 3 weeks after visit 3 (6 weeks from visit 2). Clinical measurements will be repeated. Each subject will return with any unused rinse or two empty bottles of rinse. Compliance will be determined by the measurement of any unused rinse at the end of the study.

Subjects will be given a survey to answer questions about their experience with the mouthrinse. Prophylaxis may be performed at this visit.

Following the study, the subjects will be treated by their provider's discretion.

Arms: arm 1: 24 subjects with plaque and gingival inflammation arm 2: 28 subjects with plaque and gingival inflammation arm 3: 28 subjects with plaque and gingival inflammation
Interventions: intervention 1: SmartMouth Clinical DDS mouthrinse intervention 2: 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse intervention 3: Placebo rinse
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Subjects use SmartMouth Clinical DDS mouth rinse for six weeks. intervention 2: Subjects use chlorhexidine mouth rinse for six weeks. intervention 3: Subjects use placebo mouth rinse for six weeks. The placebo rinse is the same as SmartMouth Clinical DDS, but without the active ingredients.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Study Title: 
 
Comparative Evaluation of SmartMouth Clinical DDS Advanced Oral 
Rinse and Chlorhexidine Mouth Rinse 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: 
 
7-13-2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Introduction: 
 
The primary etiology for dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontal disease is the formation of 
bacterial colonies on the tooth surface. An inflammatory process follows the accumulation of 
dental plaque resulting in gingivitis. Many studies have demonstrated that plaque-induced 
gingivitis can be reversed following complete plaque removal. Patients are instructed by oral 
health professionals to regularly and thoroughly remove plaque using a daily oral hygiene 
regimen. Many patients demonstrate poor compliance, possibly due to lack of motivation, 
dexterity, or skill. An antimicrobial mouth rinse, when used as an adjunct to daily oral hygiene 
routine, can be beneficial to patients by reducing plaque accumulation and gingival 
inflammation.  
 
Mouth rinses with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate are used commonly in Europe. Numerous 
studies have demonstrated the antiplaque and anti-gingivitis effectiveness of this rinse. Side 
effects associated with this mouth rinse include tooth staining, calculus formation, and altered 
taste sensation. Studies have also been conducted with 0.12% chlorhexidine.  These trials found 
the antiplaque and anti-gingivitis effectiveness is comparable to the 0.2% solution, but with 
diminished side effects. The 0.12% chlorhexidine mouth rinse (Peridex®) is widely used on a 
prescription basis in the United States. 
 
Clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouthrinses, but 
there is limited data comparing CPC to other antimicrobial ingredients. CPC rinses are not 
associated with side effects such as staining or taste alteration, and its use is well tolerated by 
patients.  SmartMouth Clinical DDS Advanced Oral Rinse (a.k.a. SmartMouth Advanced 
Clinical Formula) (Triumph Pharmaceuticals, Inc., St. Louis, MO) is an over-the-counter mouth 
rinse formulated to reduce plaque and gingivitis and to provide long term fresh breath through 
the elimination and prevention of bad breath sulfur gases (Volatile Sulfur Compounds or VSC) 
utilizing zinc-ion technology.  The active ingredient in SmartMouth Clinical DDS Advanced 
Oral Rinse is 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC).  
 
The aim of this six-week double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to provide evidence 
of the clinical efficacy of SmartMouth Clinical DDS Advanced Oral Rinse (SM) in comparison 
with the efficacy of 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse (CHX) and a placebo rinse (PL). The outcomes 
included measures of plaque, gingivitis, tooth staining, calculus formation, patient compliance, 
and taste perception.  
 
Materials and Methods: 
 
A six-week, double-blinded, clinical study will be conducted on 80 subjects diagnosed with 
plaque induced gingivitis and/or chronic periodontitis.  The study will take place at two centers: 
Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education (Site 1) and Southern Illinois 
University School of Dental Medicine (Site 2).  The study was approved by the Institutional 
Review Boards (IRB #25867) at Saint Louis University and Southern Illinois University 
Edwardsville. 
 


Subjects who sign the informed consent and medical history forms and meet the preliminary 
entrance criteria will be examined at baseline (visit 1).  All participants will be informed of the 
nature of the study, its purpose, and any possible risks. Subjects will be informed as to the length 
of the study and the specific procedures that would be performed. Subjects will be informed that 
this was a voluntary study and that they are free to withdraw from the study at any time. 
 
Gingival index (GI) will be measured using the Loe and Silness method.24 The gingiva will be 
scored at six sites of each tooth (distobuccal, buccal, mesiobuccal, distolingual, lingual, 
mesiolingual) and given a score from 0 – 3.  By adding the scores and dividing by the total 
number of sites, the GI for the patient will be obtained.   
 
Sites with GI scores of 2 or 3 will be counted as bleeding.  A whole mouth total Bleeding Score 
(BS) will be calculated by summing the number of bleeding sites and dividing by the number of 
teeth. 
 
Extrinsic tooth stain will be scored on the facial surfaces of the eight incisor teeth using a 
modification of the Lobene tooth stain index (TSI). 23  Each incisor will be scored for stain area 
on a scale of 0-3.  The sum of the stain scores for the subject will be used as that subject’s stain 
score.   
 
Supragingival calculus on the lingual surfaces of the six mandibular anterior teeth will be scored 
using the Volpe-Manhold calculus index (CI).36  Supragingival calculus height in three defined 
planes on the lingual surface of each tooth will be measured using a periodontal probe.  The 
measurements will be added and a mean subject score calculated.  
 
Plaque will be scored based on the Turesky modification of the Quigley—Hein Plaque Index 
(PI).33  A score of 0 – 5 will be assigned to six sites of each tooth (distobuccal, buccal, 
mesiobuccal, distolingual, lingual, mesiolingual) following the use of a disclosing solution. The 
Plaque Index for the entire mouth will be determined by dividing the total score by the number 
of surfaces examined. 
 
Teeth with gross caries and third molars will not be scored.  A complete periodontal examination 
will be performed for all subjects that meet the inclusion criteria.  A panoramic radiograph will 
be taken for all subjects who do not have full mouth radiographs within the last year.  Safety 
assessments will be made at each measurement visit.   
 
Visit 2 will occur within four weeks of Visit 1. For this relatively small clinical study for which 
there are two centers and three treatments, subjects will be assigned treatments through the 
process of minimization to assure a balance in the number of subjects in each treatment group: 
Group 1 SM, Group 2 CHX or Group 3 PL.  PL will be identical to SM, except it will not contain 
cetylpyridinium chloride, zinc chloride and sodium chlorite. Each group will consist of 
approximately 25 subjects.  All subjects will be given a complete dental prophylaxis to remove 
plaque, calculus, and stain.  Written and verbal oral hygiene instructions will be given that will 
includ a regular regimen of brushing twice daily and flossing daily.  All subjects will be assigned 
a commercially available ADA accepted toothbrush and dental floss.  They will be given a three-


week supply of the assigned mouth rinse with written and verbal instructions for use.  Subjects 
will be instructed not to have their teeth professionally cleaned prior to study completion. 
 
All mouth rinses will be in a plain package and dispensed by the faculty investigators.  The 
package will be labeled with a code to indicate the product.  Only the faculty investigators will 
have access to the code information.  Group assignment will be performed by one of the 
investigators who will use the process of minimization and will not be aware of the periodontal 
health of subjects.  Directions for use are contained in the package.  The examiners will not see 
the product. The examiners will give instructions for mouth rinse use, but they will not be aware 
which rinse the subjects are using.  Each product will contain two solutions which are mixed 
prior to use. 
 
Subjects will be examined again at visit 3, three weeks after visit 2. All clinical measurements 
will be repeated. Each subject will return the unused rinse. Additional rinse will be given to each 
subject after visit 3 for use until the final visit.  Compliance will be determined by regulating the 
amount of rinse dispensed on a 3 week basis and by the measurement of any unused rinse 
(compliance defined as percentage of product used). 
 
Subjects will be examined again at visit 4, three weeks after visit 3. Clinical measurements will 
be repeated. Each subject will return the unused rinse. Compliance will be determined by the 
measurement of any unused rinse at the end of the study. Subjects will be given a Taste 
Perception Survey to answer questions about their experience with the mouth rinse.   
 
Following the study, the subjects will be treated by their provider's discretion.  Subjects can 
withdraw from the clinic trial at any time without providing reason. The investigators can also 
withdraw subjects at any time due to protocol irregularity. All instances of withdraw will be 
documented.  
 
Intra-Examiner Calibration 
 
Intra-examiner calibration will be completed prior to beginning the study. Three examiners (EB, 
DF, AS) will make original and repeat determinations of values for four teeth in ten subjects for 
each of four indices. A kappa value will be determined for each original and repeat 
determination, and the average kappa value will be determined for the four teeth for each index 
for each examiner. For an examiner to be considered calibrated, average kappa values for each 
index have to be between 0.81 and 1 (almost perfect agreement).  
 
Data Analysis 
 
The primary outcome measures are gingivitis and plaque.  Secondary outcome measures are 
tooth discoloration, taste perception, malodor and calculus. For each outcome measure, a single 
value will be calculated for each subject—that is, the subject is the unit of measurement for 
analyses. 
 
Analyses will be based on intention to treat (with randomized intervention). Sensitivity analyses 
will based on as treated analyses. To test for differences among and between treatments, we will 


use repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with treatment and location as the 
between-group factors and one within-subject (repeated-measures) factor with 2 levels: (1) 
measurements at visit 3 and (2) measurements at visit 4. For these analyses, we will use 
multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), which does not require the assumptions of 
compound symmetry (homogeneous pooled within-group variances and across-subjects 
covariances) and sphericity (orthogonal components). Post-hoc testing will be performed with 
the Tukey honestly significant difference ([HSD) test. 
 
Sample-size calculation and power analysis (treatment effect of Smart Mouth ACF): One goal of 
the proposed study is to test the null hypothesis that the mean gingival score for Smart Mouth 
ACF is equal to the mean gingival score for the placebo (control).  With alpha (the criterion for 
significance) set at 0.05, a 2-tailed test (which means that an effect in either direction will be 
interpreted), and a sample size of 20 and 20 for the two groups, the study will have a power of 
99.9% to yield a statistically significant result. This computation is based on data from Ayad et al 
(2011), with the assumption that the mean difference is 0.44 (corresponding to means of 2.03 
versus 1.59) and a common within-group standard deviation of 0.27 (based on SD estimates of 
0.22 and 0.31). We assume that this effect size is reasonable, in the sense that an effect of this 
magnitude is anticipated in this field of research. We could report an observed difference of 0.44 
with a 95.0% confidence interval of 0.27 to 0.61. Based on plaque scores given in Ayad et al 
(2011) and a sample size of 20 in each group, we would have a power >99.9% to demonstrate a 
treatment effect for Smart Mouth ACF. Our intent is to enroll 25 subjects into each group. Our 
sample-size calculations assume a 20% dropout rate. We, however, anticipate that the dropout 
rate will be less than 10%.  
 
Equivalence of Smart Mouth ACF with 0.12% chlorhexidine. We will have power of 82% to 
demonstrate that the mean gingivitis score for Smart Mouth ACF is the same (neither lower nor 
higher) than the mean for .12% chlorhexidine. This assumes that the mean values for the two 
treatments are equal, with a common within-group standard deviation of 0.25, that a difference 
of .20 points or less is unimportant, that the sample size in the two groups will be 21 and 21, and 
that alpha (1 tailed) is set at .05. For this calculation, we used standard deviations from Ayad et 
al (2011).  Formally, the null hypothesis is that the mean for Smart Mouth ACF is 0.20 points 
lower or higher than the mean for .12% chlorhexidine, and the study has power of 81.7% to 
reject this null. Equivalently, the likelihood is 81.7% that the 95.0% confidence interval for the 
mean difference will exclude a difference of 0.20 points in either direction.