A laboratory and clinical investigation comparing 2 oscillating/rotating electric toothbrushes

Background/aims: The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy o f plaque removal by 2 different toothbrushes in a laboratory model and in a clinical study. Method: The 2 brushes used were the Philips/Jordan HP 735(R) and the Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover(R) (D9). Both were compared in a laboratory stu dy (using a robot system) and a short-term clinical study. For the laborato ry Study, plaque substitute was applied to the artificial teeth of ten typo donts, which were cleaned by a robot for 2 min. The remaining plaque substi tute was measured on buccal and lingual/palatal surfaces, as well as gumlin e and interproximal sites, using a computerized vision system. The clinical study included 23 non-dental students. All subjects received a single oral prophylaxis and were asked not to brush their teeth for 48 h prior to thei r appointment. After the amount of plaque had been evaluated at 6 sites per tooth, subjects brushed in a random split-mouth order with the 2 electric toothbrushes, after which the amount of plaque was re-evaluated. Results: The results of the laboratory study showed that, for all surfaces combined, the mean removal of plaque substitute for both brushes was the sa me. However, at the vestibular and the approximal vestibular surfaces, the reduction in plaque substitute was significantly higher (p<0.01) with the B raun toothbrush compared to the Philips. In the clinical study, the mean ov erall plaque reduction for the Braun toothbrush (74%) was significantly hig her than for the Philips (66%). Further analysis revealed that the signific ant difference in favour of the Braun brush was mainly due to plaque remova l from the approximal vestibular and the approximal lingual sites. Conclusions: In conclusion, both the laboratory and clinical study show tha t the Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover(R) (D9) is more effective than the Philips/ Jordan HP 735(R). Both study models indicate that this difference is greatest on the approximal vestibular surfaces.