Comparative Evaluation of 5% Pyrophosphate-containing Toothpaste with a Standard Fluoridated Toothpaste in the Inhibition of Calculus Formation: A Single-blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Aim: This study compared the quantitative assessments of calculus before and after using 5% pyrophosphate-containing toothpaste and fluoridated toothpaste. Materials and methods: A set of mouth mirrors, UNC-15 periodontal probes, 5% pyrophosphate-containing toothpaste, fluoridated toothpaste, and soft-bristled toothbrushes were used. The indices used were the Volpe−Manhold index (VMI), gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI). The sample size was calculated using the independent sample t-test. Simple block randomization was followed. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of the 35 patients who participated, 62.85% were male and 37.14% were female, with a mean age of 26.3 years. The VMI scores in both male and female subjects decreased over 6- and 12-weeks intervals, irrespective of their enrollment in control or test groups, but it did not show a statistically significant difference (p = 0.271). Results: There was a decrease in the GI scores over 6- and 12-weeks intervals, and it was not statistically significant in the test group as compared with the control group (p = 0.223). There was also a decrease in the PI scores over 6- and 12-weeks intervals. In the test group, PI scores were better and statistically significant than those of the control group (p = 0.006). Conclusion: A 5% pyrophosphate-containing dentifrice, used twice daily for 2 minutes for 3 months compared with a fluoridated dentifrice, did not cause a statistically significant difference in calculus reduction. Clinical significance: Pyrophosphate is largely used due to its capacity to inhibit the mineralization of plaque and calculus formation on enamel, but well-controlled studies are meager on a 5% concentration. Therefore, it is important to develop studies focused on the capacity of the pyrophosphate to inhibit calculus formation.