Clinical Effects of Adminicle Material on Removing Dental Calculus

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of a calculus scaling gel on time in a double-blind, split-mouth clinical study of 21 subjects. The Volpe-Manhold calculus index was used to quantify the distribution and amount of calculus deposition on the lingual aspect of the mandibular 6 anterior teeth at baseline. The test or placebo gels were applied directly to calculus for 7 min and then washed off. After 1 week, the calculus index was recorded again and the time taken to complete the removal of supragingival calculus was recorded. The mean±S.D. V-M calculus index on the test gel side was 0.95±0.06 at baseline and 0.80±0.13 at the time of treatment. The mean±S.D. time taken to complete scaling was 32.4±3.69 seconds on the test side and 45.2±4.50 seconds on the placebo side. Using the Wilcoxon test, the V-M calculus index on the test gel side was significantly decreased at the time of treatment compared with at baseline. The mean time taken to complete scaling was statistically significantly different (p=0.049) between the test gel and placebo gel by the Mann-Whitney U-test The results of this study support the use of our calculus scaling gel as an adjunct to supragingival scaling.