Post-usage Oral Health With an Electric Toothbrush and Sensitive Brushhead

Objectives: This clinical study was conducted to compare the efficacy of an electric toothbrush with a novel Sensitive brushhead containing tapered filaments versus a manual toothbrush via reduction of plaque and gingivitis over a 5-week period.

Methods: This study was a randomized, examiner-blind, parallel design. 150 adults with evidence of dental plaque and mild to moderate gingivitis, aged 18-77 years, were randomized to use an oscillation-rotation electric toothbrush (Oral-B Vitality (OBV) with Sensi UltraThin brush head) or a regular manual toothbrush (ADA). Toothbrushing was performed twice daily following manufacturer’s instruction (OBV) or in customary manner (ADA). Plaque and gingivitis measurements were taken at Baseline and Week-5 using Rustogi-modified Navy Plaque (RMNPI) and Modified Gingival and Gingival Bleeding Indices (MGI/GBI). Statistical analysis was based on an analysis of covariance model for parallel design for between-group analyses.

Results: Mean baseline values were not significantly different for MGI (OBV: 2.096; ADA: 2.104, p=0.575), GBI (OBV: 0.146, ADA: 0.152, p=0.729), and bleeding sites (OBV: 20.72, ADA: 22.0; p=0.565). Week-5 reductions of gingivitis were all significantly in favor of OBV: MGI (OBV: 0.275, ADA: 0.114; p<0.001), GBI (OBV: 0.081, ADA: 0.035; p<0.001) and bleeding sites (OBV: 11.15, ADA: 5.04; p<0.001).
Plaque baseline scores were balanced for whole-mouth (OBV: 0.633, ADA: 0.625; p=0.246) and approximal sites (0.998 for OBV and 0.994 for ADA; p=0.331). Week-5 plaque reduction was in favor of OBV (p<0.001) for whole-mouth (OBV: 0.127, ADA: 0.064) and approximal sites (OBV: 0.235, ADA: 0.083).

Conclusions: After 5 weeks of treatment, OBV reduced gingivitis and plaque statistically significantly more as compared to ADA.