Efficacy of a new electronic toothbrush in removing bacterial dental plaque in young adults. Evaluation of a counter-rotational powered brush in patients in supportive periodontal therapy. The effects of an ultrasonic toothbrush on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. Comparison of gingivitis and plaque efficacy of a battery-powered toothbrush and an ADA-provided manual toothbrush. A comparative clinical study of the safety and efficacy of three toothbrushes. Safety, efficacy and acceptability of a new power toothbrush: a 3-month comparative clinical investigation. A 3-month clinical investigation comparing the safety and efficacy of a novel electric toothbrush (Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover) with a manual toothbrush. Efficacy of a sonic toothbrush on inflammation and probing depth in adult periodontitis. Six-month comparison of powered versus manual toothbrushing for safety and efficacy in the absence of professional instruction in mechanical plaque control. The safety and efficacy of a children's power toothbrush and a manual toothbrush in 6-11 year-olds. A thirty-day evaluation of the Rowenta Dentiphant powered toothbrush in children for safety and efficacy. Comparative efficacy of Colgate Actibrush battery-powered toothbrush and Colgate Plus (manual) toothbrush on established plaque and gingivitis: a 30-day clinical study in New Jersey. Assessment of the effect of an oscillating/rotating electric toothbrush on oral health. A 12-month longitudinal study. A comparative study of the Philips HP 735, Braun/Oral B D7 and the Oral B 35 Advantage toothbrushes. Clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a new sonic toothbrush. The long-term effect of an oscillating/rotating electric toothbrush on gingivitis. An 8-month clinical study. Powered vs manual tooth brushing in fixed appliance patients: a short term randomized clinical trial. Clinical evaluation of the Plak Trac toothbrush. Comparison of a manual and a new electric toothbrush for controlling plaque and gingivitis. Comparison of manual and power toothbrushing, with and without adjunctive oral irrigation, for controlling plaque and gingivitis. Oral hygiene instruction in children using manual and electric toothbrushes. Benefits after six months. The effectiveness of an ionic toothbrush in the removal of dental plaque and reduction on gingivitis in orthodontic patients. Efficacy of plaque removal and learning effect of a powered and a manual toothbrush. Comparison of a sonic and a manual toothbrush for efficacy in supragingival plaque removal and reduction of gingivitis. A practice-based randomised controlled trial of the efficacy of an electric and a manual toothbrush on gingival health in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. The clinical effect of a newly designed electric toothbrush on supragingival plaque, gingivitis and gingival bleeding. POWER VERSUS HAND BRUSHING: EFFECT ON GINGIVITIS. A CLINICAL STUDY OF HAND AND ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHING. Clinical evaluation of an ionic toothbrush in the removal of established plaque and reduction of gingivitis. Efficacy of manual and powered toothbrushes (I). Effect on clinical parameters. Effectiveness of the Sonicare sonic toothbrush on reduction of plaque, gingivitis, probing pocket depth and subgingival bacteria in adolescent orthodontic patients. A study on the uninstructed use of an electric toothbrush. A comparison of the Braun Oral-B Plaque Remover (D5) electric and a manual toothbrush in affecting gingivitis. Clinical evaluation of the effect of an ultrasonic toothbrush on plaque, gingivitis, and gingival bleeding: a six-month study. The effect of a new electric toothbrush on supragingival plaque and gingivitis.
Although a high level of oral cleanliness is essential for long-term maintenance of dental health, many people cannot maintain good oral hygiene consistently. A new electronic toothbrush has been developed that induces a small electric charge onto tooth surfaces. This charge damages electrostatic bonding of plaque proteins to tooth surfaces; thus, plaque removal is enhanced while the toothbrush is used. Young men were issued identical toothbrushes; some were electrically active. Plaque levels were assessed at baseline, and after two and four weeks, concurrently with oral-hygiene instruction and professional prophylaxis. The electrically active toothbrushes demonstrated better plaque removal than the inactive toothbrushes. This better performance was statistically significant linguopalatally, indicating that significantly more plaque was removed where mechanical access was poorest. Thus, the electrical activity of this toothbrush significantly enhances plaque removal where toothbrushing access is limited. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of a counter-rotational powered brush (CRPB) during the supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) phase of periodontal treatment, 40 treated patients in SPT but with insufficient plaque control were randomly divided into equal experimental or control groups. All subjects used the same toothpaste, but the CRPB group did not use any interproximal aids. Gingivitis (MGI), plaque, and bleeding on probing (BOP) were scored at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months prior to prophylaxis in conjunction with regular SPT visits. While both groups improved from baseline, CRPB use achieved significantly lower mean plaque scores and BOP at 6 months as analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. The CRPB also showed consistent statistically superior percentage changes from baseline resulting in a general 50% improvement in clinical conditions compared to a 20 to 25% improvement for control oral hygiene methods. CRPB use resulted in at least a 50% improvement from baseline twice as often as did the control. The results of this study demonstrate more substantial and consistent improvement in periodontal conditions and plaque control effectiveness with the CRPB than the control methods that included interproximal hygiene aids. It appears that the CRPB may be a useful adjunct in maintaining reduced plaque levels and favorable gingival conditions in patients in the SPT phase of periodontal therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an ultrasonic toothbrush to reduce plaque and gingival inflammation when compared to a manual toothbrush. 62 healthy adult patients with a plaque index of at least 2.0, a 50% bleeding index and at least 16 natural teeth participated in this study. 31 patients were randomly assigned to the manual toothbrush group (group A) and 31 were assigned to an ultrasonic toothbrush group (group B). The Turesky et al. plaque index (PI), Eastman bleeding index, and Loe & Silness gingival index (GI) were performed at baseline, 15, and 30 days at the beginning of each appointment (pre-brushing). Patients then brushed with their assigned toothbrush and a post-brushing plaque index was recorded. Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine between group differences on the parameters of all clinical indices. Results of the pre-brushing plaque index in group B were significantly lower at 15 and 30 days compared to group A. The post-brushing plaque index demonstrated no statistically significant between or within group differences. Both groups demonstrated significant within group reductions in GI and BI from baseline to 15 days and from 15 to 30 days, however, no between group differences were noted. The results of this study support the ability of an ultrasonic toothbrush to significantly remove plaque and reduce inflammation as well as a manual toothbrush over a 30 day period. This examiner-blind clinical study evaluated the efficacy of a new battery-powered toothbrush with oscillating head (Colgate Actibrush) on established gingivitis and plaque at 15 days and again at 30 days, as compared to a control manual toothbrush (American Dental Association [ADA]-provided toothbrush, full head, soft bristles). A total of 63 participants completed the study. They were stratified into two balanced groups according to their mean baseline prebrushing plaque scores and were randomly assigned to use the battery-powered test toothbrush or the manual control toothbrush. Participants were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (mornings and evenings) for 1 minute with their assigned toothbrush for the 30-day duration of the study. Gingivitis and plaque (pre- and postbrushing) examinations were conducted by the same dental examiner at baseline, after 15 days, and again after 30 days. The Colgate Actibrush demonstrated a significantly greater reduction of plaque (46.53%) and gingivitis (18.57%) when compared to the ADA-provided toothbrush after 30 days of use. Additionally, a comparison of the plaque scores for the battery-powered toothbrush at 15 and 30 days shows a continued reduction in plaque of more than 25% for a cumulative difference from baseline of 73%. These results support the conclusion that the new battery-powered toothbrush is clinically superior in plaque removal efficacy and gingivitis efficacy to the manual toothbrush, and continues to significantly improve plaque scores even up to 30 days of use. This single (examiner) blind, randomized, 4-week study compared the safety and efficacy of a new electric toothbrush (experimental) regarding plaque removal and reducing gingivitis with two other brushes, an electric brush (control electric) and a manual toothbrush (control hand). Ninety-six subjects with 1) a minimum of 15 suitable teeth in acceptable occlusion; 2) a minimum gingivitis score of 0.9; and 3) a minimum plaque score of 1.8 were entered into the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: a control hand group (31 subjects), an experimental group (32 subjects), and a control electric group (33 subjects). Device use instructions were given according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Two examiners separately determined either gingival scores or plaque scores at baseline and 4 weeks. In regard to gingivitis, use of all 3 brushes for the study period showed statistically significant improvements in gingivitis scores (P values less than 0.01) within each of the 3 groups. Between group analyses of covariance showed that of the 3 groups, the control hand group improvement was better than both the experimental and the control electric groups (P less than 0.05). When interproximal gingivitis scores were analyzed separately, similar improvements were noted. Regarding effectiveness of plaque removal during a single brushing event at the initial and final visits, each of the 3 brushes was effective in reducing plaque for every tooth surface scored (P values less than 0.01). However, between group analyses of covariances showed that the experimental group was better than the other two (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) To compare the safety and efficacy of a new power toothbrush (Braun Oral-B D17) with an ADA reference manual toothbrush.
                110 healthy subjects, 18-65 yrs of age, with a mean plaque index of > or = 1.80 and a gingival index of > or = 1.00, were enrolled in this 3-month, randomized, parallel-group, examiner-blind study. Oral soft and hard tissues were examined for safety, and plaque, gingivitis and bleeding were measured to evaluate efficacy. Measurements were made at baseline and after 1 and 3 months of product use. Following the baseline visit and randomization, subjects were instructed to brush twice daily for 2 mins with their assigned brush.
                101 subjects completed the study with evaluable data for all time periods, 52 in the D17 group and 49 in the manual group. None of the nine withdrawals from the study were related to product use and no product-related adverse effects were reported. There was no clinically significant soft or hard tissue abrasion observed at any time point in either group. After 1 and 3 months, significant reductions from baseline in whole mouth and interproximal plaque, gingivitis and bleeding were observed in both groups. A comparison of the two groups revealed that the whole mouth and approximal plaque indices were reduced to a significantly greater extent in the D17 group after both 1 and 3 months. The whole mouth gingival index was also reduced to a greater extent in the D17 group at 1 and 3 months, but a difference in the approximal gingival index was only apparent after 3 months. With respect to the bleeding index, there was a significant difference between the two groups for the whole mouth at both 1 and 3 months, but the differences in favor of the D17 for approximal values did not achieve statistical significance. In conclusion, the D17 was found to be safe and had increased efficacy with respect to reduction of plaque and gingivitis, compared with a manual toothbrush. To compare the efficacy and safety of a novel electric toothbrush (Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover) with a standard reference ADA manual toothbrush.
                114 subjects were included in a 3-month randomized, parallel group, examiner-blind study and divided into two groups: 3D users and manual toothbrush users. Subjects were instructed to brush twice daily for 2 minutes. Evaluation of oral soft and hard tissue for safety, plaque, gingivitis and bleeding was conducted prior to the start of product use (at baseline), at days 14 and 35, and at 3 months.
                105 subjects (55 3D users and 50 manual toothbrush users) completed the study. At days 14, 35 and at 3 months both groups showed reductions from baseline in whole mouth plaque, gingivitis and bleeding that were statistically significant (P < 0.005), except in the case of plaque at day 35 in manual toothbrush users. At 3 months, reductions for whole mouth plaque, gingivitis and bleeding were 15%, 16% and 65%, for 3D users and 8%, 12% and 56%, for manual toothbrush users, respectively. Group differences were significant (P < 0.05) in favor of the 3D with respect to plaque reduction for the whole mouth and for interproximal and anterior lingual sites at all three time periods. With respect to gingivitis, reductions for the whole mouth and interproximal and posterior lingual sites at 3 months were significantly greater in the 3D group. There was no clinically significant soft or hard tissue abrasion in either group. In conclusion, the 3D electric toothbrush was found to be safe and had increased efficacy with respect to reduction of plaque and gingivitis compared to a manual toothbrush. This single-blind, 8-week study compared the efficacy of a sonic toothbrush and a manual brush in 40 patients with adult periodontitis. Qualitative clinical indices and quantitative laboratory methods were used to monitor the periodontal status of 3 pockets 5 to 7 mm deep in each subject. Patients were randomly assigned either a sonic or manual toothbrush. The two groups were comparable with respect to age, gender, and anatomical location of the test sites. Data were collected from all sites at baseline and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Over the 8-week period, both groups showed significant improvements in the clinical indices used. Descriptive statistics indicated the sonic brush group had greater improvement than the manual group in the clinical parameters (gingival index, bleeding index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level). Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) flow was significantly lower in the sonic brush group (P = 0.018). Considerable variation was present in the levels detected for both inflammatory cytokines tested, however, concentration of interleukin-1 beta was significantly lower in the GCF of sonic group patients (P = 0.05), while concentration of interleukin-6 was significantly reduced in both groups (P < or = 0.05) (t tests). Under these conditions, there is some evidence to suggest that the sonic toothbrush is more beneficial in resolving inflammation in patients with moderate periodontal disease. Reports suggest powered toothbrushing may provide some clinical benefit over manual tooth-brushing, but most studies have been of short duration with subjects trained in toothbrush use. The aim was to determine if the oscillating-rotating powered brush (PB) could safely provide clinical benefits over and above a manual brush (M) in subjects with no formal instruction or experience in powered brush use.
                This 6-month, single-masked, parallel design, randomized clinical trial compared the PB with an American Dental Association (ADA)-accepted soft-bristle manual brush in a non-flossing gingivitis population (n = 157). Subjects were given written instructions but no demonstration on toothbrush use at baseline. Efficacy was assessed by changes in gingival inflammation, plaque, calculus, and stain, while changes in clinical attachment levels and recession measurements provided safety data. A prophylaxis was provided after baseline assessment. The 6-month plaque index (PI) was recorded immediately post-brushing after covert timing of the subjects, and correlation analyses were run to assess the relationship of brushing time to PI. Paired t tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to assess within and between treatment group differences for PB (n = 76) versus M groups (n = 81).
                Measures of inflammation showed a statistically significant drop for both brushes at 3 and 6 months. Mean overnight full-mouth PI scores were significantly lower at 3 months for the PB (1.57) compared to the M group (1.80), P = 0.0013. Immediate post-brushing PI at 6 months was also significantly lower for the PB (1.10) versus M (1.39) (P= 0.0025). There was an overall negative correlation for PI and brushing time (r = -0.377, P= 0.0001). Mean calculus index (CI) scores were lower for the PB at 3 (P= 0.0304) and 6 months (P = 0.0078), while no significant differences in stain were observable. Clinical attachment level and recession measurements showed no significant between-group changes from baseline for either brush on canine teeth or on teeth with recession at baseline.
                The oscillating-rotating toothbrush safely provides clinical benefits in plaque and calculus reduction over a manual brush even in subjects with no formal oral hygiene instruction. To evaluate and compare the oral hard and soft tissue safety and the plaque-removing efficacy of a children's power toothbrush (Braun Oral-B Kids' Power Toothbrush-D10) and a manual toothbrush in children from a general population.
                Seventy children aged 6-11 yrs were enrolled into a single-blind, randomized, parallel-design study. At baseline, oral hard and soft tissues were evaluated and plaque was assessed on buccal and lingual surfaces of all fully erupted permanent and primary teeth using the Turesky Modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index. Eligible subjects were randomized to use either a Braun Oral-B children's power toothbrush (D10) or a manual toothbrush for the duration of the study. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth at home twice daily for 1 min each day for the 30-day study period. At baseline and after 15 and 30 days, plaque was assessed following 12-18 hrs of no oral hygiene. In addition, at each visit single-use plaque removal was evaluated after subjects had brushed their teeth for 1 min under supervision. Oral hard and soft tissues were assessed for safety before and after the supervised 1-min brushing at each visit.
                There were no pre-brushing oral hard and soft tissue abnormalities or post-brushing changes in oral tissues in either group. There were statistically significant reductions in mean plaque index for the whole mouth (P< 0.006), buccal surfaces (P < 0.0001) and anterior teeth (P< 0.008) from day 0 to day 30 in the D10 group, but not in the manual group. Greater mean changes in whole mouth plaque reduction were seen for the D10 group as compared to the manual group at days 15 and 30 (P< 0.05). Results from the single-use supervised brushing at each visit revealed that reductions in mean whole mouth plaque were statistically significant in both groups at each visit (P< 0.0001). There was statistically significantly greater plaque removal after a single brushing at day 0 in the D10 group compared with the manual group (P< 0.002), but the difference was not significant at days 15 and 30. A thirty-day clinical trial was undertaken with second grade school children to assess the safety and efficacy of a new battery-powered toothbrush (Rowenta Dentiphant) compared to the manual Oral-B 20 toothbrush. The children from four class rooms were individually and randomly assigned to use either product for the thirty days. The children reported to school having not brushed the morning of each assessment at baseline, 15 days and 30 days. Following the gingivitis assessment and given a pre-brushing plaque assessment, the children were instructed on the use of the toothbrush as they then brushed their teeth for a timed 1 minute out of sight of the examiners. The children were then reassessed for plaque removal. The results demonstrated that the children using the Rowenta powered toothbrush became used to the brush and improved their cleaning efficiency during the study. By week two, the buccal plaque scores for the Rowenta brush were significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to the Oral-B 20 group. By week four the Rowenta subjects had significantly lower buccal and lingual plaque scores after brushing, while the Oral-B 20 subjects had significantly lower buccal scores after toothbrushing, but no significant difference was found after brushing on lingual surfaces for plaque removal. On total plaque area scores, the Rowenta group was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than the Oral-B 20 group at both two and four weeks. The Rowenta group had a 10% reduction in plaque area after brushing comparing baseline to four weeks. The Oral-B group demonstrated no percentage difference in after brushing plaque scores from baseline to four weeks. On gingivitis, the Rowenta group had significantly lower buccal and lingual mean scores compared to the Oral-B 20 group at week two, and lingual mean scores compared to the Oral-B 20 group at week four. The Rowenta group demonstrated a 27% decrease in lingual gingivitis scores compared to baseline, while the Oral-B group had an 11% decrease in lingual gingivitis scores from baseline to four weeks. Total gingivitis scores for the Rowenta group were significantly lower (p < 0.01-0.001) at both weeks two and four compared to the Oral-B 20 group, with percentage declines from baseline to four weeks being 22% and 12%, respectively. The Rowenta Dentiphant toothbrush was found to be safe to use. On total plaque and gingivitis reduction, the Rowenta Dentiphant toothbrush was found to be significantly superior to the Oral-B 20 manual toothbrush by two weeks of use and this continued to the conclusion of the study. The objective of this 30-day clinical study, conducted in harmony with American Dental Association guidelines, was to evaluate the efficacy of a new battery-powered toothbrush (Colgate Actibrush) relative to a manual toothbrush (Colgate Plus Diamond Head Toothbrush, Full Head, Soft Bristle) in the control of supragingival plaque and gingivitis. A total of 110 adult men and women from the Northern New Jersey area were entered into the study and stratified into 2 balanced groups according to baseline plaque and gingivitis scores. Participants were instructed to brush twice daily (morning and evening) for 1 minute with their assigned toothbrush and a commercially available toothpaste (Colgate Cavity Protection Great Regular Flavor Fluoride Toothpaste). Examinations for plaque and gingivitis were conducted by the same dental examiner at baseline, after 15 days, and again after 30 days of product use. All 110 participants complied with the protocol and completed the 30-day clinical study. At the 30-day examinations, the group using the Colgate Actibrush battery-powered toothbrush exhibited a statistically significant greater reduction in plaque (26.7%) and in gingivitis (25.8%) than did the group who used the Colgate Plus Diamond Head Toothbrush. The results of this 30-day clinical study support the conclusion that the Colgate Actibrush battery-powered toothbrush provides a clinically superior level of efficacy for the control of supragingival plaque and for the control of gingivitis when compared with a manual toothbrush. The aim of this 12-month parallel design controlled clinical trial was to assess the effect of the Braun Oral-B Plak Control electric toothbrush on supragingival plaque and gingival health, and to compare it with a conventional soft manual toothbrush (Jordan). A total of 111 patients aged between 20 and 63 years, from a general population, with bleeding on probing at 30% or more of all sites examined were entered into the study. At baseline, immediately after periodontal examination, all volunteers received a thorough scaling of their teeth. Volunteers in both groups were told to brush their teeth for 2 min 2 x a day. Oral hygiene instruction was given at the start of the study and was not repeated. At 3, 6 and 12 months, assessments were carried out by a single clinician who was not aware which group the volunteers belonged to. Analysis of results demonstrated that over the 12 months of the study, the Braun Oral-B Plak Control was significantly more effective in improving gingival health than the manual toothbrush. There was, however, no difference between the 2 groups in terms of plaque removal, with the number of sites with visible plaque decreasing by a similar amount in both groups. In conclusion, results indicate that the Braun Oral-B Plak Control toothbrush is safe and more effective than a manual toothbrush in improving gingival health. The aim of this 3-group, 3-treatment, single-blind, parallel group study was to evaluate and compare the efficacies of the Philips/Jordan HP 735 powered toothbrush, the Braun/Oral B D7 powered toothbrush and the Oral B Advantage B35 manual toothbrush in a cohort of 75 young adults (18-25 years). Following an appointment for screening, full mouth mean (+/-sd) modified Turesky plaque index (PI) and Löe & Silness gingival index (GI) were recorded at baseline. After 24 h abstinence from all oral hygiene measures, PI was recorded and each subject was given one of the test brushes with detailed instructions for use. The subject then brushed under supervision for 90 s, during which time mean (+/-sd) toothbrushing forces (TBF) were recorded. PI were recorded immediately after supervised brushing and the subjects were then discharged for 6 weeks to use the allocated toothbrush at home. After 6 weeks, PI, GI and TBF were again recorded. Comparisons between the brushing groups for all parameters, at baseline, 24 h and 6 weeks were tested using ANCOVA. There were no significant differences for PI and GI between groups at baseline, or for PI following supervised brushing at 24 h. After 6 weeks subjects using the powered brushes had lower mean PI (+/-sd) scores than those using manual brushes but the differences were significant only at interproximal sites; HP 735 1.44 (0.52), D7 1.44 (0.53), B35 1.75 (0.51) (p=0.05). At 6 weeks, mean (+/-sd) GI were; HP 735 1.49 (0.21), D7 1.61 (0.21), B35 1.64 (0.22) (p=0.033). Mean GI scores for the HP 735 group were similar at baseline and at 6 weeks although for the other brushes, the GI scores actually increased over this period. Mean (+/-sd) TBF (grammes/force) at baseline and 6 weeks respectively for the brushes were; HP 735 233 (205), D7 159 (58), B35 279 (122) (p=0.026): HP 735 194 (86), D7 141 (57), B35 297 (113) (p=0.0001). The within-group variability for the HP 735 TBF reduced considerably over 6 weeks, a likely consequence of the click-force threshold feature of this brush. The efficacy and safety of a new sonic toothbrush were studied in this single-blind study. The sonic toothbrush combines acoustic vibrations and dynamic fluid activity surrounding the bristles with direct mechanical scrubbing of tooth surfaces. Fifty-one subjects were randomly assigned to either the sonic or the manual toothbrush. Plaque scores were assessed before and after a 2-minute brushing at baseline and 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Gingivitis and sulcular bleeding scores were also taken at each evaluation. To assess long-term safety, 29 subjects returned after 6 months of product use. Repeated measures analysis of variance of the total mean plaque score indicated a significant difference between the devices over time (P < 0.01), with the sonic toothbrush demonstrating a greater level of plaque removal on all tooth surfaces. On average, the plaque reduction from the baseline score for the sonic toothbrush was 3 times greater than the manual brush. However, when broken down by dental region, the sonic toothbrush demonstrated an improved level of plaque removal ranging from 1.5 to 11.9 times better than the manual brush, with the greatest improvement in the interproximal and lingual areas. Both the gingivitis and sulcular bleeding scores exhibited a similar, significant reduction (P < 0.005) over time for both devices with an approximate 17% decrease in the gingivitis index and a 33% decrease in sulcular bleeding sites. Safety assessment after 6 months of use indicated no soft tissue abnormalities which could be attributed to the products.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Braun Plak Control for the removal of supragingival plaque and improving gingival health in a long-term clinical trial, and to compare it to regular manual toothbrush. Assessed were plaque accumulation, amount of gingival inflammation, gingival bleeding on probing, and calculus. In total, 77 young individuals were selected on the basis of having 'moderate gingivitis'. They were monitored over 8 months and divided among 2 groups; a control group that used a manual toothbrush and a test group that used the Braun Plak Control. The clinical assessments were repeated after 1, 2, 5, and 8 months. At baseline, subjects were handed their assigned toothbrushes together with written oral hygiene instructions. They were instructed to brush for at least 2 min. 1 month after baseline examinations, all subjects received a professional prophylaxis and oral hygiene instruction from an experienced dental hygienist. Plaque removal was reinforced at the 2-and 5-month examination. In conclusion, results indicate that the Braun Plak Control is a safe and efficient home care device. At the end of this trial, this electric toothbrush proved to be more effective than a regular manual toothbrush. Sixty-three orthodontic patients wearing upper and lower fixed appliances were randomly assigned to use either a powered toothbrush fitted with a modified orthodontic brush head (Braun Oral-B Plaque Remover 3D) or a manual toothbrush (Reach Compact Medium). A trained hygienist instructed each patient on the proper use of the allocated brush. Measurements of plaque and gingival health were made at baseline, at four weeks, and at eight weeks. Data for each group were analyzed using paired t-tests. Patients using the powered toothbrush showed a significant reduction in percentage interdental bleeding scores from baseline to four weeks (-12.7, P = .003) and this was still apparent at eight weeks (-8.6, P = .028), although there were no statistically significant changes in either plaque or gingivitis scores for this group. Those patients using a manual toothbrush showed a significant reduction in mean plaque score from baseline (four weeks = -0.18, P = < .001; eight weeks = -0.12, P = .016), but gingivitis scores were only reduced significantly at four weeks. In this group, interdental bleeding scores reduced significantly at four weeks (P = .028), but were not significantly different from baseline at eight weeks (P = .0319). When the two patient groups were compared using two sample t-tests, there were no significant differences in any of the parameters measured at any time point in the study. Over an eight-week period, there were no measurable differences between the powered toothbrush with modified orthodontic brush head and a manual toothbrush with respect to mean change in plaque, gingivitis, or interdental bleeding scores when used by patients wearing fixed appliances. Three separate studies have been conducted to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of the Plak Trac mechanical toothbrush. In an exaggerated use study, volunteers used the product a minimum of five times a day for eight days. Soft tissue evaluations were conducted before and at various times after use of the Plak Trac brush throughout the study. No tissue irritation related to product use was observed or reported at any time in the study. In a thirty-day at-home use study the Plak Track brush was compared to the Colgate ADA-approved manual toothbrush. Plak Trac was consistently more effective than the Colgate brush on plaque removal, at higher statistical levels. Both brushes were effective in decreasing the gingival index during the study. In a one-time use test, Plak Trac, Interplak, and the Oral B 35 manual brush were evaluated for plaque removal efficacy. All brushes significantly reduced both smooth surface and interproximal plaque scores. On total smooth surfaces Plak Trac was significantly more effective than the Interplak brush. In the present clinical trial, the effect on existing plaque and gingivitis of a new electric toothbrush (ET) was compared to that of a manual toothbrush (MT). 40 medical students, age 18-30 years, participated. Plaque index (PlI) and gingival index (GI) were recorded at 6 sites at all teeth. At baseline, a PlI and GI > 1 were required. The participants were at random allocated to a group using either ET or MT and were instructed only to use the assigned toothbrush, brushing each morning and evening for 2 min. No oral hygiene instruction was given. Re-examination was done after 1, 2 and 6 weeks. In the MT group, a minor decrease in mean PlI was found after 6 weeks (all sites: from 1.2 to 1.1, approximal sites: from 1.4 to 1.2). The corresponding figures in the ET group were: 1.2 to 0.6 and 1.4 to 0.8. After 6 weeks, the % of sites with visible plaque with MT was: 24% (all sites) and 30% (approximal sites) and with ET 8% and 9%, respectively. With MT, mean GI was unchanged after 6 weeks compared to baseline, whereas with ET, the changes were from 1.1 to 0.9 (all sites) and from 1.1 to 1.0 (approximal sites). The % of sites with GI score > or = 2 had not changed after 6 weeks with MT (all sites: 11%, approximal sites: 13%). With ET, these results were 3% and 4%, respectively. We compared the effects of four oral hygiene methods (manual tooth-brushing, power toothbrushing, manual toothbrushing plus irrigation, and power toothbrushing plus irrigation) on plaque and periodontal disease. These methods were tested both when used alone and when used in conjunction with professional mechanical oral hygiene. 108 subjects were clinically assessed for plaque, stain, gingival inflammation, bleeding to probing, probing depth and attachment loss, and randomly assigned to one of the 4 oral hygiene groups. Subjects were carefully instructed in the use of their assigned method and asked to discontinue all other forms of oral hygiene. After 3-months, subjects returned for re-examination and full-month professional mechanical oral hygiene care. 3 months later, subjects returned for a final oral examination. All subjects kept a diary of use of their assigned method and were called every 2 weeks to monitor discomfort, provide reinforcement and answer questions. Results showed that all the oral hygiene methods were equally effective in reducing plaque and stain accumulation, gingival bleeding, bleeding to probing ratio and the % of pockets 4 mm or deeper. None of the oral hygiene methods was associated with injury to soft or hard tissues. nan This investigation was undertaken to determine if an ionic toothbrush was effective at removing plaque and reducing gingivitis in patients wearing orthodontic appliances. Fifty-two orthodontic patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups and completed a six-week double-blind study. Group 1 consisted of the test group using the ionic toothbrush with an active battery; group 2 consisted of the control group using the ionic toothbrush with an inactive battery. The plaque and gingival indices were measured at baseline, two weeks, and six weeks. The findings demonstrated that the active ionic toothbrush was no more effective at plaque removal and gingivitis reduction than the inactive toothbrush. Although the active toothbrush did effectively remove plaque and reduce gingivitis over the course of six weeks, it showed no significant improvement over the same toothbrush that contained an inactive battery. It was observed that the ionic toothbrush effectively reduced plaque and gingivitis regardless of the presence or absence of an active battery. The clinical findings demonstrated that an active ionic toothbrush was no more effective in removing plaque and reducing gingivitis in patients with orthodontic appliances than an inactive ionic toothbrush. Subjects with high plaque and gingivitis scores can profit most from the introduction of new manual or powered tooth brushes. To improve their hygiene, not only the technical characteristics of new brushes but also the learning effect in efficient handling are of importance.
                : The present study compared the efficacy in plaque removal of an electric and a manual toothbrush in a general population and analysed the learning effect in efficient handling.
                Eighty healthy subjects, unfamiliar with electric brushes, were divided into two groups: group 1 used the Philips/Jordan HP 735 powered brush and group 2 used a manual brush, Oral-B40+. Plaque index (PI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were assessed at baseline and at weeks 3, 6, 12 and 18. After each evaluation, patients abstained from oral hygiene for 24 h. The next day a 3-min supervised brushing was performed. Before and after this brushing, PI was assessed for the estimation of the individual learning effect. The study was single blinded.
                Over the 18-week period, PI reduced gradually and statistically significantly (p<0.001) in group 1 from 2.9 (+/-0.38) to 1.5 (+/-0.24) and in group 2 from 2.9 (+/-0.34) to 2.2 (+/-0.23). From week 3 onwards, the difference between groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). The bleeding index decreased in group 1 from 28% (+/-17%) to 7% (+/-5%) (p<0.001) and in group 2 from 30% (+/-12%) to 12% (+/-6%) (p<0.001). The difference between groups was statistically significant (p<0.001) from week 6 onwards. The learning effect, expressed as the percentage of plaque reduction after 3 min of supervised brushing, was 33% for group 1 and 26% for group 2 at week 0. This percentage increased at week 18 to 64% in group 1 and 44% in group 2 (difference between groups statistically significant: p<0.001).
                The powered brush was significantly more efficient in removing plaque and improving gingival health than the manual brush in the group of subjects unfamiliar with electric brushes. There was also a significant learning effect that was more pronounced with the electric toothbrush. A new sonic electric toothbrush (Sonicare) and a traditional manual toothbrush were compared for efficacy in removing supragingival plaque and reducing gingival inflammation in a 12-week, single-blind clinical trial. 60 subjects with a gingival index (GI) of > 1.5 and no probing depths > 5 mm were randomly assigned to use either the manual or sonic brush, instructed in its use, and asked to brush each morning and evening for 2 minutes. Plaque scores were taken at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks using the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein plaque index. Gingival inflammation was assessed by the GI, bleeding tendency score, presence or absence of bleeding on probing, volumetric measurements of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in GCF. Repeated measures multivariate analyses of variance were used to detect time- and device-dependent differences for all clinical assessments between the 2 groups over the 5 visits. Both types of brush were effective in removing supragingival plaque. The sonic brush was statistically superior, on a percentage reduction basis, in removing supragingival plaque from the dentition taken as a whole (F-statistic; p = 0.012) and was particularly better in hard-to-reach areas such as posterior teeth (F-statistic; p = 0.003) and interproximal sites (F-statistic; p = 0.004). Both devices were equally effective in reducing gingival inflammation. The sonic brush exhibited less tendency to cause gingival abrasion than the manual brush (1 incident with sonic, 5 incidents with manual), confirming the safety of this product as an oral hygiene device. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of an electric toothbrush with a specially designed orthodontic brush head compared with a manual toothbrush in controlling plaque and gingivitis in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances over an 8-week period in a dental practice setting.
                This was a randomised controlled, single blind, stratified, parallel group trial conducted in two specialist orthodontic dental practices by a specialist orthodontist. Group 1 comprised 41 subjects who used the electric toothbrush and Group 2 consisted of 43 subjects who brushed with a manual toothbrush around the orthodontic appliance for a timed 2 minutes twice daily for 8 weeks. Plaque around the fixed appliance attachments was measured using an orthodontic modification to the Silness and Loe plaque index, while gingival condition was scored using the gingival index and Eastman interdental bleeding index.
                There was baseline balance for all clinical variables (p > 0.05). Both groups had significantly less plaque after 8 weeks than at baseline (p < 0.001) but the group using the electric brush also had significantly less interdental gingival bleeding, as determined by the Eastman interdental bleeding index both at week 4 (p < 0.001) and week 8 (p = 0.004). The majority of subjects (n = 54, 64.3%) preferred the electric toothbrush.
                In conclusion, the results from this study would suggest that use of an electric toothbrush with an orthodontic brush head may be of benefit in promoting gingival health in fixed orthodontic appliance patients; however, the long-term effects (over at least 6 months) need to be evaluated. A clinical study was carried out in an attempt to assess the efficacy of a newly designed electric toothbrush compared to a conventional manual toothbrush using the American Dental Association's protocol for evaluating toothbrushes. An Oral-B 35 manual toothbrush, which served as the control, was compared to the Plaq & White125 electric toothbrush. Examinations were performed by two calibrated examiners at baseline, day 15 and day 30. Examinations included the gingival index, plaque index and bleeding index. Mean indices were calculated and compared between the two brushes using the repeated measures multiple analysis of variance. No statistically significant differences between the mean indices on the three examination days were observed following the use of the manual or the electric toothbrushes. The results of this study demonstrate that the electric toothbrush was numerically more effective than the manual toothbrush in reducing supragingival plaque levels, either before or after brushing, at each examination date compared to baseline plaque values. However, this difference was not statistically significant. This and other findings concluded that the Plaq & White toothbrush is comparable to the control ADA-accepted toothbrush. nan nan The clinical effectiveness of a manual ionic toothbrush in the removal of dental plaque and the reduction of gingivitis was evaluated. A double-blind study evaluated the effect of a small, imperceptible electric current on established dental plaque and gingivitis during toothbrushing. Sixty-four adults completed the study. Gingivitis and plaque scores were determined at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. The baseline indices of the two groups were well balanced. At each examination, the participants were instructed how to hold the toothbrush properly and reminded to change brush heads every 4 weeks. Statistically significant improvements in Löe Gingival Index scores were observed from baseline to 6 months between the control and test groups and within the test group. The Quigley-Hein Plaque Index scores also showed a significant improvement from baseline to 6 months between the control and test groups and within the test group. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare manual (Crest Complete) and powered toothbrushing (Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover) for their ability to affect clinical parameters of periodontal diseases.
                48 periodontal maintenance subjects completed this single-blind 6-month longitudinal study. Subjects had a minimum of 20 natural teeth excluding third molars and >10% of sites (approximately 17 sites) with pocket depth > or =4 mm and/or >10% sites with attachment level >4 mm. At baseline, subjects received full mouth clinical measurements (168 sites) to determine mean Plaque Index, Gingival Index, pocket depth and attachment level and % of sites exhibiting BOP. Subjects were then randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group (N=26) used a manual toothbrush while the test group (N=22) used a powered toothbrush. Subjects received instruction in oral hygiene and used their assigned toothbrush twice daily according to instruction. Follow-up clinical assessments were performed at 3 and 6 months. Significance of differences in clinical measures over time was determined using the Quade test and between brushing groups at each time point using the Mann-Whitney test.
                Mean pocket depth, mean plaque index and % of sites exhibiting BOP showed significant reductions from baseline to 3 and 6 months in both groups. Mean probing attachment level and mean Gingival Index were significantly reduced in the powered brushing group only. There was a significant positive correlation between plaque reduction and reduction in other clinical parameters in both brushing groups. The majority of subjects showed improvements in clinical parameters at 6 months, although a greater proportion of subjects in the powered group showed a reduction in Plaque Index (77% versus 65%) and in % sites exhibiting BOP (82% versus 69%). Mean pocket depth and mean attachment level showed significantly greater reductions between baseline and 6 months in lingual and mandibular areas in the powered group.
                Both manual and powered toothbrushes reduced pocket depth, plaque index and BOP. The powered toothbrush significantly reduced mean gingival index and probing attachment level. The greatest benefit of the powered brush was at mandibular and lingual surfaces. The Sonicare sonic toothbrush and a traditional manual toothbrush were compared for efficacy in improving periodontal health in young orthodontic patients with existing gingival inflammation. A 4-week, single-blind clinical trial was employed. Twenty-four subjects, ages 11-17 years, who were fully bonded and banded with fixed orthodontic appliances were selected. Subjects were randomly assigned to use either the manual or the Sonicare toothbrush, instructed in its use, and asked to brush each morning and evening for 2 minutes. Plaque index, gingival index, percentage of sites which bled on probing, pocket depth, and total gram-negative bacteria in a subgingival plaque sample were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks around the banded teeth. The results demonstrate that the Sonicare brush was significantly more effective than the manual brush in all clinical parameters. Sonicare was statistically superior to the manual brush in supragingival plaque reduction (57% vs. 10%, respectively; p < 0.001). Gingival Index scores fell by 29 percent in the Sonicare group, but only 3 percent in the manual group. Reduction of bleeding on probing was significantly greater in the Sonicare group than in the manual group (p < 0.001). The Sonicare group decreased from 78% bleeding sites at baseline to 24.5% after 1 month. In the manual group there was only a slight reduction in bleeding on probing (70% of sites at baseline and 64.6% sites after 1 month). Mean pocket depths were significantly reduced compared to baseline values in both the Sonicare and the manual groups (p < 0.001). Pocket depth reduction in the Sonicare group was, however, significantly greater than in the manual group (28% vs. 6%, respectively: p < 0.001). Total gram-negative bacteria in subgingival plaque samples from banded test teeth of a subset of patients were reduced in the Sonicare group (p < or = 0.05), but increased in the manual group. These results clearly demonstrate that the Sonicare sonic toothbrush is superior to a manual toothbrush in improving periodontal health in adolescent orthodontic patients with existing gingivitis. nan This three-month clinical trial was designed to compare the effect of an electric and a manual toothbrush on reducing primarily gingivitis and secondarily, plaque, in a cohort of 70 healthy adults. After baseline evaluation of gingivitis, soft tissue trauma, and plaque, patients were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups, shown an instructional tooth brushing videotape, and had their teeth cleaned. Soft tissue trauma was again scored at 2 weeks. At 12 weeks all three clinical parameters were again evaluated. The results showed statistically significant reductions (baseline vs. 3-month) in both whole mouth (p = 0.003) and interproximal (p = 0.008) gingivitis scores for the electric toothbrush group. No significant reduction at three months compared to baseline was seen for the manual brush group. When gingivitis reductions were compared over the three-month test period, the electric brush was significantly better than the manual toothbrush in both whole mouth (p = 0.0007) and interproximal (p = 0.002) gingivitis reduction. No increase in soft tissue trauma and no significant differences in plaque reductions were seen for either toothbrush. This study evaluated the long-term effect of an ultrasonic toothbrush used as part of a daily oral hygiene regimen on supragingival plaque, gingivitis, and gingival bleeding. Compared with a conventional toothbrush, the ultrasonic toothbrush was significantly more effective in reducing plaque formation (p < 0.05), removing plaque (p < 0.05), and reducing gingivitis (p < 0.05) during the 6-month study period. This study tested the effectiveness of a rechargeable electric toothbrush, Interplak, in removing supragingival plaque and resolving gingivitis. Forty adults with gingivitis were randomly assigned to either a "manual" or "electric" group. Detailed oral hygiene instructions were given and a blind examiner assessed plaque scores before and after brushing, toothbrush abrasion, and gingival inflammation at baseline, 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Subjects using the electric brush had significantly lower (P less than 0.05) mean plaque and gingival inflammation scores. The electric group's plaque scores fell from 77% at baseline to 28% (before brushing) and 14% (after brushing) at 4 weeks; the manual group's dropped from 75% to 50% and 30% (before and after brushing, respectively). The mean G.I. for the electric group fell from 1.65 at baseline to 1.28 at 4 weeks, while the manual group's scores decreased from 1.65 to 1.43. The results suggest that the electric brush removed supragingival plaque and resolved gingivitis better than the manual brush over a 28-day period. However, a telephone survey conducted 6 months later indicated that most subjects were not using the device twice a day as they had during the study.
Powered toothbrushes with a rotation oscillation action reduce plaque and gingivitis more than manual toothbrushing.
Observation of methodological guidelines and greater standardisation of design would benefit both future trials and meta-analyses.