IADR Abstract Archives
Systematic Review: Manual Versus Powered (Electric) Toothbrushes for Pediatric Patients
Objectives: Many randomized controlled trials (RCT) have evaluated the efficacy of powered or electric toothbrushes compared with manual or traditional toothbrushes to remove biofilm and plaque. However, despite evidence comparing these methods in pediatric patients – only one systematic review has been published for this specific population subgroup. Based upon the lack of secondary evidence regarding this subpopulation, the primary objective of this study is to perform a thorough and comprehensive systematic review and meta analysis using available RCT and observational trials among pediatric patients.
Methods: Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol, relevant search terms were identified for this study using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Searches in PubMed using Boolean search terms revealed N=309 studies that were imported into Rayyan (systematic review database analysis software tool).
Results: From the n=309 peer-reviewed studies identified, three independent abstract reviews were completed using blinding. More than half (n=194/309 or 62.78%) were excluded by all three reviewers with n=48/309 or 15.53% selected for inclusion by all three reviewers. Full texts for the “inclusion” studies (n=48) have revealed a strong reduction in plaque index scores among pediatric patients using electric toothbrushes - although other characteristics such as age, orthodontic brackets, and cognitive disorders may be confounding variables.
Conclusions: The results of the study to date have demonstrated a sufficient number of studies for inclusion in this Systematic Review (n=48) with an initial estimate of greater than n=1,298 patients for comparison. Meta analysis of plaque index and oral hygiene scores have enabled sufficient evidence to recommend electric toothbrushing - although specific age and orthodontic therapy related exceptions may apply.
Methods: Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol, relevant search terms were identified for this study using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Searches in PubMed using Boolean search terms revealed N=309 studies that were imported into Rayyan (systematic review database analysis software tool).
Results: From the n=309 peer-reviewed studies identified, three independent abstract reviews were completed using blinding. More than half (n=194/309 or 62.78%) were excluded by all three reviewers with n=48/309 or 15.53% selected for inclusion by all three reviewers. Full texts for the “inclusion” studies (n=48) have revealed a strong reduction in plaque index scores among pediatric patients using electric toothbrushes - although other characteristics such as age, orthodontic brackets, and cognitive disorders may be confounding variables.
Conclusions: The results of the study to date have demonstrated a sufficient number of studies for inclusion in this Systematic Review (n=48) with an initial estimate of greater than n=1,298 patients for comparison. Meta analysis of plaque index and oral hygiene scores have enabled sufficient evidence to recommend electric toothbrushing - although specific age and orthodontic therapy related exceptions may apply.