Efficacy of Sonciare Elite and Advance Toothbrushes in Hard-to-Reach Sites

Objectives: A single-blind, cross-over, clinical trial recruited 45 subjects to compare the plaque removal efficacy of the Sonicare® Advance and Elite powered toothbrushes (PTB) in hard to reach areas. Methods: The Turesky modification of the Quigley & Hein index (PI) recorded plaque on 6 surfaces of the molar and premolar teeth. Pre- and post-brushing PI allowed within subject changes to be assessed. After screening (Visit 1) all subjects returned for a full mouth prophylaxis (Visit 2), and were randomised to use either the Sonicare Advance or Sonicare Elite for 2 weeks. They refrained from all oral hygiene practices for a period of 24h prior to Visit 3 where pre- and post-brushing PI was recorded on mature plaque. All subjects received a prophylaxis and refrained from all oral hygiene measures for 24h returning for Visit 4. Pre and post brushing PI was then recorded on new plaque. At the completion of Visit 4 all subjects crossed over to a second test brush to use for two weeks. Visits 5/6 were a repeat of Visits 3/4. Data were analyzed using a regression analysis with a mixed effects model, subjects and visits were used as random effects to account for the repeated measures. Results: Mean (SE) PI reduction over all measured surfaces for the Advance and the Elite was: Visit 3 - 0.98(0.04), 1.24(0.05); Visit 4 - 0.96(0.05), 1.15(0.07); Visit 5 - 0.81(0.04), 1.29 (0.06); Visit 6 - 0.73(0.06), 1.13(0.05) respectively. A highly significant difference (p<0.001) was detected in post brushing PI in favour of the Elite: all measured surfaces 0.35 (95%CI 0.39,0.31); interproximal surfaces 0.39 (95%CI 0.33,0.45); smooth surfaces 0.32 (95%CI 0.26,0.39). Conclusion: This study suggests that the Sonicare® Elite is more effective at removing plaque on posterior teeth and interproximal surfaces than the Sonicare® Advance. Supported by Philips Oral HealthCare,Inc.