Influence of Soluble Pyrophosphate on Calculus Formation in Adults

¹ Oral Health Research Institute, Indiana University School of Dentistry, 415 North Lansing Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
² University of Maryland Dental School, 666 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
³ Department of Pedodontics, Indiana University School of Dentistry, 415 North Lansing Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

The purpose of this double-blind, longitudinal clinical study was to assess the efficacy of a dentifrice containing 3.3% soluble pyrophosphate in inhibiting calculus formation and its effect upon the oral soft tissues. A total of 265 adult volunteers was given a dental prophylaxis. Each was examined for dental calculus and oral soft tissue pathology. The volunteers were then randomly assigned to use either a dentifrice containing soluble pyrophosphate and sodium fluoride or a placebo sodium fluoride formulation for ad libitum home usage. At the two-month completion of the study, 217 subjects were available for examination. The results showed that the group using the dentifrice containing soluble pyrophosphate experienced a significant 26% decrease in calculus formation as compared with the placebo group, with both dentifrices being equally well-tolerated by the oral soft tissues.