The effects of bioavailable gluconate chelated stannous fluoride dentifrice on gingival bleeding: Meta‐analysis of eighteen randomized controlled trials

AIM: To estimate gingivitis effects of a bioavailable gluconate chelated 0.454% stannous fluoride (SnF(2)) family of dentifrices in adult subjects versus positive (triclosan) and negative (NaF or MFP) controls when used ≤3 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A meta‐analysis evaluated bioavailable gluconate chelated SnF(2) dentifrices versus a negative or positive control for gingival bleeding. RESULTS: In 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2,890 subjects assessing SnF(2) paste versus a negative or positive control, the average number of bleeding sites was reduced by 51% and 31%, respectively. The average change (95% CI) in number of bleeding sites was −16.3 (−27.8, −4.9) versus the negative control and −3.6 (−5.4, −1.8) versus the positive control. Subjects with localized or generalized gingivitis had 3.7 times better odds (95% CI [2.8, 5.0]) of shifting to generally healthy using SnF(2) versus a negative control and 2.8 times better odds (95% CI [2.1, 3.9]) of shifting to generally healthy using SnF(2) versus a positive control. The individual study risk of bias was deemed to be low in all categories of bias. CONCLUSION: This meta‐analysis demonstrates significant gingivitis benefits of bioavailable SnF(2) dentifrices when used ≤3 months versus positive (triclosan) and negative (NaF or MFP) controls.