M. Cronin et al., THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF GINGIVAL MASSAGE WITH AN ELECTRIC INTERDENTAL CLEANING DEVICE, The Journal of clinical dentistry, 8(5), 1997, pp. 130-133
The safety and efficacy of an interdental cleaning device (Braun Oral-
B(R) Interclean-ID2) used with a Flexi-Tip gingival massage attachment
were evaluated in an investigator-blind comparison with manual floss.
Over a 4-week period, 59 healthy volunteers were studied with respect
to whole-mouth and interproximal plaque accumulation, gingival index
and gingival bleeding. Eligible subjects were randomly assigned to one
of the two experimental groups following a complete dental examinatio
n on Day 1. Subjects each underwent a dental prophylaxis before receiv
ing flossing or massaging instructions. Plaque, gingivitis and gingiva
l bleeding index scores were evaluated at Day 1 and Week 4. There was
a significant reduction from baseline in all three parameters (whole-m
outh and interproximal) in each of the groups, over the 4-week period.
Reductions for whole-mouth and interproximal plaque scores were 20.3%
and 17.0%, respectively in the ID2 group, compared with 16.2% and 13.
8%, respectively in the manual floss group. Reductions for gingivitis
were 13.0% and 14.1% in the ID2 group, compared with 14.0% and 16.2% i
n the manual floss group, and for gingival bleeding 52.2% and 53.6% in
the ID2 group, compared with 51.7% and 55.6% in the manual floss grou
p, respectively. Differences between treatment groups for each study p
arameter were not statistically significant. There was no significant
soft tissue pathology noted in either study group. The results demonst
rated that the manual floss and the interdental cleaning device, when
used with the gingival massage attachment, were equally effective.