Method: This was a single-center, examiner-blind study amongst 181 subjects (mean age 22.7 yrs). In total 90 manual toothbrush users (MtB) and 91 power toothbrush users (PtB) were assessed for gingival recession (GR) and abrasion (GAS) as primary parameters. Additionally, the level of gingivitis (BOMP) and pocket depth (PPD) were evaluated as periodontal parameters. Subjects brushed with their own toothbrush as they would at home. Plaque (TMQHPI) and brushing time were assessed. ANCOVA was used for analysis of post-treatment variables with baseline values as covariate. Two-sample t-test was used to analyze BOMP, PDD and GR.
Result: Whole mouth mean scores for GR were 0.10mm in the MtB and 0.08mm in the PtB group (p=0.121). Full-mouth pre-brushing mean GAS scores were 11.5 for the MtB and 10.6 for the PtB group (p=0.389). There was no correlation between GR and GAS for MtB (Pearson r=0.014, p=0.909) and PtB (Pearson r=-0.012, p=0.899). No significant differences between MtB and PtB were observed for periodontal parameters (BOMP, p=0.625 and PPD, p=0.390). Overall GAS of PtB showed less incremental change following a single brushing exercise than MtB (p=0.004). The PtB group removed significantly more plaque (p<0.001) and brushed significantly longer (158secs vs 115secs, p=0.008) than MtB users.
Conclusion: In this young adult population little gingival recession was observed in either the manual or power toothbrush user group. Both groups had comparable levels of GR and GAS. GAS scores were not explanatory for the observed recession.
This study was carried out ACTA and was sponsored by P&G.