The effectiveness of a rotary electric toothbrush on oral cleanliness in adults

Abstract

The effectiveness of an electric toothbrush (Rota-dent), which in design and mode of action resembles the rotating instruments used by professionals in tooth cleaning, was assessed. 40 adult periodontal patients were divided into 2 groups matched with regard to oral cleanliness: an electric toothbrush group (EB) comprising 20 patients who received an electric toothbrush as well as instruction in it's use by a dental hygienist; a control group (CO) comprising 20 patients who were provided with an oral hygiene kit containing a conventional toothbrush, an interspace brush, toothpicks, disclosing tablets and a lighted mouth mirror and who received the oral hygiene instruction by means of a self-teaching manual. All patients received professional mechanical tooth cleaning 1 week prior to the instruction. At a 3-week follow-up session, additional instruction was given by a dental hygienist according to needs. The presence or absence of dento-gingival plaque after disclosing with the Plak-lite system and gingival bleeding by gentle probing was recorded on 4 tooth surfaces of all teeth, initially and after 3 months. The findings showed a similar improvement in the status of oral hygiene in both groups, indicating that in the hands of the patients, the electric toothbrush was just as effective as the comprehensive oral hygiene kit.

Plaque removal with the uninstructed use of electric toothbrushes: comparison with a manual brush and toothpaste slurry

“…However, of the studies cited to support the contention many involved participants receiving verbal or verbal and written or even professional instruction in the use of the electric toothbrush under test (for review, see Walmsley (1997)). Interestingly, not all findings reached statistical significance in favour of the various electric brushes (Boyd et al 1989, Glavind & Zuener 1986, Van der Weijden et al 1993, Terezhalmy et al 1995) particularly when it was evident that professional instruction was not provided (Van der Weijden et al 1993, 1994, Barnes et al 1993). Conversely, some of the same studies (Van der Weijden 1993, 1994) and others (Van der Weijden et al 1999) clearly showed differences in favour of electric brushes when instruction was provided.…”

A comparison of the efficacy of powered and manual toothbrushes in controlling plaque and gingivitis: a clinical study

“…The results of these trials have been inconclusive, but there is a strong indication that all brushes are least effective on the lingual aspects of lower molars. The correct preset angulation of the brush head, design of the brush, bristle length and material, brush diameter and, lastly, patient skill can improve plaque control in such areas 12–14. Failure to meet these parameters in manual toothbrushes has resulted in development of powered toothbrushes.…”

Comparison of Interdental Cleaning Methods: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Although the practice and theory of oral health promotion have evolved, there is a shortage of quality interventions relating to oral health education after the early 1980s 5‐9 . In periodontal patients, where there is ineffective plaque removal from certain areas of the mouth, it is not surprising that these are the areas where probing depths (PDs) are often the deepest, 10,11 typically palatal, lingual, and interdental areas.…”