A comparative clinical study of the plaque removal efficacy of an oscillating/rotating power toothbrush and an ultrasonic toothbrush.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of two power toothbrushes in the removal of dental plaque following a single brushing. METHODS: The study employed a two-treatment, examiner-blind, randomized, four-period crossover design. A total of 25 generally healthy adult subjects were enrolled into the study. Test products were an oscillating/rotating power toothbrush (Oral-B Triumph Professional Care 9000) and a newly marketed sonic toothbrush with an ultrasound waveguide (Ultreo). Subjects used each power toothbrush twice during the study following each manufacturer's usage instructions. Clinical examinations using the Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TMQHPI) as the primary variable and the Rustogi Modification of the Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI) were performed by calibrated and experienced clinical examiners prior to and following brushing. The difference (baseline minus post-regimen) in average plaque scores was calculated for each subject. The different scores were analyzed for treatment regimen differences using a mixed model analysis of covariance (with baseline whole-mouth average score as the covariate and subjects considered random) for a crossover design. RESULTS: Baseline whole-mouth TMQHPI and RMNPI plaque scores were well balanced between the two treatment groups. Adjusted mean whole-mouth TMQHPI plaque removal (baseline minus post-brushing) scores were 0.604 for the Triumph toothbrush and 0.488 for the Ultreo toothbrush. The Triumph toothbrush provided statistically significantly more plaque reduction that was 23.9% greater than the Ultreo toothbrush (p = 0.0001). The RMNPI examiner detected similar treatment differences in favor of the Triumph toothbrush, with a 16.3% greater plaque reduction than the Ultreo toothbrush (p < 0.0001). Both products were well tolerated with no adverse events reported in the study. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate superior plaque removal efficacy of the oscillating/rotating Triumph toothbrush versus the Ultreo ultrasonic toothbrush.