A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Plaque and Gingivitis Effects of an Entry-Tier Oscillating-Rotating Electric Toothbrush

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate plaque and gingivitis reduction efficacy of an entry-tier oscillating-rotating (OR) electric toothbrush, used in two brushing modes (Daily Clean and Sensitive), as compared to a manual toothbrush.

Methods This was a three-treatment, three-period crossover study, assessing plaque with the Rustogi Modification of the Navy Plaque Index after a single brushing and after one week of use. Additionally, in the first treatment period only, participants were assessed for gingivitis (Modified Gingival Index; MGI) and bleeding at baseline, week 1 and week 2 while using their assigned product for two weeks. All participants had baseline evidence of gingivitis and plaque.

Results: Forty-two participants were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. The OR toothbrush, used in either mode compared with the manual toothbrush, produced statistically significantly greater reductions in the number of bleeding sites at week 1 and week 2 (p≤.001) and in MGI score at week two (p≤.001). By week 1, the bleeding site reduction with the OR toothbrush in either mode was at least twice as great as the manual toothbrush. The OR toothbrush used in Daily Clean mode also achieved statistically significantly greater MGI reduction at week 1 (p=.011). Both OR toothbrush groups showed statistically significantly greater plaque reduction compared with the manual toothbrush group after a single use (whole mouth, lingual, buccal, interproximal, and gingival margin plaque; p<.001) and after one week of repeated use (whole mouth, lingual, buccal, and interproximal plaque; p≤.022).

Conclusion The entry-tier OR toothbrush provided significantly greater plaque and gingivitis reductions when used in either mode as compared to the manual toothbrush.