Superior Plaque and Gingivitis Reduction of a Rechargeable Oscillation-Rotation Toothbrush

This clinical study was conducted to compare the efficacy of an electric toothbrush to a manual toothbrush in the reduction of gingivitis and plaque for molar teeth over a 4 week period. 

Method:

This was a single-center, randomized, parallel, examiner-blind, 4-week, controlled clinical trial. 100 adult subjects with evidence of dental plaque and gingivitis were randomly assigned to use either an oscillating-rotating toothbrush (OBPC - Oral-B Professional Care 1000 handle with Cross Action brush head) or a regular manual toothbrush (ADA). Subjects were stratified at baseline using gender, smoking, gingivitis and plaque, in order to balance and assign subjects randomly to treatment groups. Both groups used standard fluoridated toothpaste (Crest Cavity Protection). Toothbrushing was performed twice daily at-home following manufacturer's usage instructions (OBPC), or as subjects would normally do (ADA). Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), and Rustogi Modification of the Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI) were measured at Baseline and Week-4. Between group comparisons used analysis of covariance with baseline as covariate.

Result:

Subjects’ mean age was 42.9 years and 61% were female. Overall baseline means for molar teeth were 2.01 for MGI, 0.16 for GBI and 1.0 for interproximal mean RMNPI. Both groups differed significantly (p<0.001) from baseline for Plaque and Gingivitis. At Week-4 the OBPC group reduced gingivitis by 17.3% (ADA: 7.5%) for mean MGI and by 73.8% (ADA: 47.5%) for mean GBI. Plaque in interproximal regions of the molar teeth was reduced at Week-4 by 50.1% for the OBPC group versus 24.4% for the ADA group. Between-group comparisons showed significant differences favoring the OBPC toothbrush for plaque and gingivitis (p<0.001). Both brushes were well tolerated.

Conclusion:

The oscillating-rotating toothbrush provided significant reductions in plaque and gingivitis on molar teeth at Week-4 as compared to a regular manual toothbrush.