Clinical and computer-assisted evaluations of the stain removal ability of the Sonicare electronic toothbrush.
Two single-blind clinical studies investigated the stain removal properties of Sonicare, a new electronic toothbrush that combines sonic vibrations and dynamic fluid activity with mechanical scrubbing to clean tooth surfaces. In one study, 30 subjects used a 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthrinse (Peridex) for two weeks to accumulate stain, and then were assigned to either Sonicare or a manual toothbrush (Oral-B P-35). The subjects brushed with their assigned device for 2 minutes twice a day. In a second study, 19 subjects with extrinsic stain due to coffee, tea, or tobacco (CTT) causes were randomly assigned to either Sonicare or a manual toothbrush (Crest Complete). These subjects also brushed for 2 minutes twice a day, with additional brushing on the stained areas. Stain on the labial surfaces of the subjects' anterior teeth was evaluated with the Lobene index at the pretrial, 2-week, and 4-week periods. Clinical analysis indicated that use of Sonicare resulted in Peridex stain reductions of 54% and 50% after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, and reductions in CTT stain of 39% and 82% at similar time points. The manual toothbrush resulted in stain increases of 4% and 24% in the Peridex study and CTT stain decreases of 41% and 39% after 2- and 4-week brushing periods. Computer image analysis was performed on photographic records from the CTT stain study and showed a high correlation with the Lobene index (r = 0.82). The results of these two independent studies indicate that Sonicare is superior to the manual toothbrushes studied in removing both Peridex and CTT stains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Department of Periodontics, University of Washington, Seattle.
C
C
McInnes
B
B
Johnson
R C
RC
Emling
S L
SL
Yankell
D000328:Adult; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D003069:Coffee; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013010:Sonication; D013662:Tea; D014026:Nicotiana; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*
D003069:Coffee; D013662:Tea; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine