[Laboratory and clinical investigation of multifunctional dentifrices. Clinical study of a new triclosan-containing toothpaste].

The purpose of this work was to assess the in vitro antibacterial effectiveness of three dentifrices containing antimicrobial agents and to test the in vivo anti plaque and anti gingivitis effect of a toothpaste containing triclosan (CAOLA). The in vitro tests showed a marked antibacterial effect of both triclosan and chlorhexidine containing dentifrices. The randomized clinical trial presented good evidences that the triclosan had some but statistically non significant plaque and gingivitis reduction in patients even without previous mechanical cleaning. Nevertheless the triclosan dentifrice was effective in reducing the plaque and gingivitis scores in combination with initial mechanical debridement and oral hygienic instructions.