Statistical analyses
PLAQUE
Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the sample characteristics and baseline dental measurements. A mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for the three groups at baseline and after brushing. To analyze the effect of the type of toothbrush on the plaque, a mixed-effects linear model was used to account for the repeated measurements that yield period, sequence, intra-patient, and inter-patient variability.An analysis of differences between treatment groups was performed using a mixed model for repeated measures on the difference scores (baseline minus post-brushing) for each participant, for each period. The factors in the model were subject (random effect), period, treatment, carryover, and baseline whole-mouth average scores as covariates. A carryover not reaching the significance level of 10% was deleted from the final statistical model. The Intraclass correlation (ICC) evaluated the consistency or reliability of the two examiners with respect to the average pre-brushing and post-brushing results.NCSS software (Version 20) ® was used for data entry and analysis [