Dental calculus composition following use of essential-oil/ZnCl2 mouthrinse

• Published in: American journal of dentistry Vol. 16; no. 3; p. 155
• Main Authors: LeGeros, Raquel Z, Rohanizadeh, Ramin, Lin, Shujie, Mijares, Dindo, LeGeros, John P, Charles, Christine H, Pan, Pauline C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2003
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents, Local - therapeutic use; Bacteria - ultrastructure; Calcium Phosphates - analysis; Calcium Phosphates - classification; Chlorides - therapeutic use; Dental Calculus - chemistry; Dentifrices - therapeutic use; Diphosphates - therapeutic use; Double-Blind Method; Durapatite - analysis; Humans; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Mouthwashes - therapeutic use; Oils, Volatile - therapeutic use; Organic Chemicals; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; X-Ray Diffraction; Zinc Compounds - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0894-8275

To test the hypothesis that anticalculus agents cannot completely inhibit calculus formation but can influence the types of calcium phosphate which form, i.e., they can influence the composition of the inorganic component of human dental calculus (HDC). The composition of HDC specimens obtained from a 16-week multi-center clinical study using three regimens were analyzed, investigators blinded. The treatment regimens were: (a) standard dentifrice (SD), (b) pyrophosphate antitartar dentifrice, and (c) SD with Tartar Control Listerine Antiseptic mouthrinse (containing essential oils and 0.09% zinc chloride). 25 individual samples and eight pooled samples from each group were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. (1) relative frequency of occurrence for: (a) bacteria: Group A = 100%, Group B = 60%, and Group C = 25%; (b) Carbonate hydroxyapatite (CHA): Groups A, B, and C = 100%; (c) dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD): Group A = 55%; Group B = 45%; Group C = 80%; (2) The relative amount of DCPD is inversely proportional to that of CHA in HDC: the higher the amount of DCPD, the lower the amount of CHA. Group C regimen with essential oil/ZnCl2 mouthrinse and standard dentifrice showed a significant anti-microbial effect and favored the formation of DCPD, the most soluble Ca-P.