Initial investigations have demonstrated the effectiveness of a new contra-rotary powered electric toothbrush in removing plaque supragingivally, subgingivally, and interproximally following a single use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a counter-rotary toothbrush following 1) one time instruction, 2) reinstruction and 1 week practice; and 3) a third instruction and 3 weeks of practice and home use. Twenty-four patients were studied; 12 using the counter-rotary toothbrush and 12 using a conventional toothbrush. Using O'Leary and Turesky plaque indices, both brushes significantly reduced supragingival plaque from baseline at all intervals. The counter-rotary brush, however, was more efficient than the conventional brush at all intervals (P less than 0.01). Using a Surface Area Plaque Index, both brushes significantly reduced supragingival plaque from baseline at all intervals but there were no significant differences between brushes. A timed bleeding index showed significant reduction in gingival bleeding following 28 days of brushing with both brushes. Again, the counter-rotary toothbrush was superior to the conventional toothbrush (P less than 0.01).
Potassium nitrate has been found to be an effective ingredient for reducing dentinal hypersensitivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a patient-applied 10% potassium nitrate glycerine-based gel in decreasing dentinal sensitivity on cold on teeth with exposed dentin apical to the cemento-enamel junction, 12 patients, each having 3 hypersensitive teeth, were tested. The patients were divided into 3 treatment groups: group 1 was treated with a glycerine-based 10% potassium nitrate gel: group 2 was treated with a glycerine gel without potassium nitrate; and group 3 received no gel and no treatment (control). Following brushing and flossing, groups 1 and 2 applied the gel to the test teeth using custom-made soft acrylic trays, for a period of 5 min/day for 4 weeks. Patient responses to cold water stimuli of 20 degrees C, 10 degrees C and 0 degrees C, were measured at baseline (week 0), then at 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-week intervals. Group 1 patients showed a significant decrease in sensitivity to cold at week 2 only. The group 2 patients showed a significant decrease in sensitivity to cold after 3 and 4 weeks. A statistically significant decrease in sensitivity was noted between group 2 and group 3 patients at week 3. The most sustained decrease in sensitivity to cold was found on teeth treated with plain glycerine.
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