EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF A NEW FLOSSING AID

The purpose of this clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of a ne w flossing aid (Flosser(R)) with finger flossing on preventing plaque and gingival inflammation. 35 adults who did not use dental floss rout inely were assigned randomly to one of 2 treatment groups (Flosser(R) or finger flossing) in a 2-period, single-blind crossover study. After prophylaxis, subjects were instructed to use the flossing aid or fing er floss 1 x per day and to continue brushing for 30 days. Gingival in flammation (GI & BPI) and plaque (PI) were assessed prior to the proph ylaxis and at 30 days. After a 30 day ''washout'' period, subjects wer e again reassessed for gingival inflammation and plaque, given a proph ylaxis, assigned the opposite treatment (2nd treatment period) that th ey receivd the first treatment period, and assessed (GI, BPI & PI) aft er 30 days. Comparing the mean difference of the 30-day buccal interpr oximal scores between the treatment groups (flossing aid scores minus finger flossing scores) showed that the mean differences with 95% CI w ere: -0.013 +/- 0.067 [GI], -0.017 +/- 0.044 [BP] and 0.019 +/- 0.014 [PI]. No statistically significant differences from zero (0.05 alpha) were observed using the t-test. There was a high level of compliance ( 90%) with the prescribed regiment, and subjects preferred (56%) the fl ossing aid slightly over finger flossing. Even though there were no st atistically or clinically significant differences in gingivitis and pl aque scores between the 2 flossing groups, the positive inclination fo r the flossing aid makes it a desirable addition to the armamentarium of preventive dentistry.