Superior Dental Plaque Reduction of a Rechargeable Oscillation-rotation Toothbrush

Objectives: This clinical study was conducted to evaluate the dental plaque removal efficacy of oscillating-rotating rechargeable power brush with a novel brush head design compared to a manual toothbrush.
Methods: This study was a randomized, examiner-blind, 4-period crossover design, which examined plaque removal of two toothbrushes: ADA manual brush (ADA) or Oral-B Vitality (OBV) with newly designed CrossAction brush head, following two repeated single uses with each brush. Thirty-two subjects were randomized to one of four treatment sequences. Plaque was scored before and after brushing using the Turesky Modified Quigley and Hein Plaque Index (TMQHPI). Both groups used standard fluoridated toothpaste (Crest Cavity Protection). Toothbrushing was performed following manufacturer's usage instructions (OBV), or as subjects would normally do (ADA). Statistical analyses were carried out using an analysis of covariance for a crossover design.
Results: Baseline whole mouth plaque scores were 2.388 and 2.349 for the power brush and manual toothbrush treatments, respectively, and were not statistically different (p=0.270). The adjusted mean plaque reduction (baseline minus post-brushing) was 1.065 for the power toothbrush and 0.964 for the manual toothbrush. Between treatment comparisons showed that the power brush provided statistically significantly higher plaque reduction (10.5%) than the ADA brush (p=0.003).
Conclusions: The oscillating-rotating rechargeable power brush with novel CrossAction brush head design removed statistically significantly more plaque as compared to a manual toothbrush control. Both brushes were well tolerated.