Effect on periodontal status of rotary electric toothbrushes vs. manual toothbrushes during periodontal maintenance. I. Clinical results.
The purpose of this study was to compare the Rotadent rotary electric toothbrush with conventional toothbrushing for its effectiveness in controlling supragingival plaque and gingival inflammation in periodontal maintenance patients. Forty subjects who had received periodontal treatment, including periodontal surgery, for moderate to advanced periodontitis and were on a 3-month periodontal maintenance were divided into two equal groups matched for age and sex. One group used conventional toothbrushing, dental floss, and toothpicks and the other used only the rotary electric toothbrush for a 12-month study period. Single-blind clinical assessments (Plaque Index, Gingival Index, bleeding tendency, pocket depth, and loss of attachment) were made at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after baseline. Subgingival debridement was performed 1 week after the baseline assessment and the 6- and 12-month examinations. Plaque removal was reinforced at 3-month intervals. Both groups had significantly improved scores (P less than 0.01) for Gingival Index and bleeding tendency during the 12-month period, but no differences were found between the groups at any examination. These results indicate that the rotary electric toothbrush is as effective for plaque removal and control of gingival inflammation as a combination of conventional toothbrushing, flossing, and toothpicks for patients in periodontal maintenance.
Department of Growth and Development, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco.
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Boyd
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Murray
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Robertson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*