A previous paper described a suggested protocol which could be used for testing therapeutic measures. In this paper the protocol has been used as a basis for testing experimental toothpastes over short and medium periods of time. The effects on plaque and gingivitis of a chlorhexidine paste used for 4 weeks, and of two other experimental products used over 8 weeks, have been investigated. Statistically significant improvements in gingivitis were observed during the use of chlorhexidine and one of the experimental pastes compared with their respective placebo pastes. The benefit observed for the experimental paste became evident when the data were analyzed considering only participants with 'frank' gingivitis. The findings have also been presented in various ways in attempts to express the benefits of the therapeutic measures in clinical terms by using arbitrarily determined success criteria.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1975

Testing therapeutic measures for controlling chronic gingivitis in man: a suggested protocol.

A protocol is presented for the clinical evaluation of agents used to control chronic gingivtis in man. Assessment is divided into three phases of increasing duration which are the initial screening of products over 1 month, the main gingivitis trial lasting at least 6 months and judging the effect of the product in preventing periodontitis which is extended for at least 3 years. The advances in data processing have made it possible to collect information separately on the three parameters of gingival inflammation.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed1974