title: A six-week study comparing the efficacy of a rotary electric toothbrush with a conventional toothbrush.
abstract: The rotary electric toothbrush, Rota-dent, is often recommended and used as an alternative to the conventional toothbrush. The purpose of this short-term study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Rota-dent on plaque removal and gingival health in comparison to a conventional toothbrush. Twenty-four subjects were divided into two groups. For 6 weeks one group used the Rota-dent, while the other group used a conventional (Oral-B 40) toothbrush. Plaque and gingival indexes were evaluated each week. Results indicated that the Löe and Silness Gingival Index scores improved significantly for both groups. There was a significant improvement in plaque removal as measured by Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index for the Rota-dent group, while there were no significant differences in the Silness and Löe Plaque Index for either group. Thus, both devices had a positive effect on gingival health, and the Rota-dent removed plaque better than a conventional toothbrush as measured by one but not another plaque index.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado School of Dentistry, Denver.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Silverstone
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Tilliss
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Cross-Poline
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van der Linden
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stach
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Featherstone
mesh_terms: D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010512:Periodontal Index; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods