title: An evaluation of the efficacy of a curved bristle and conventional toothbrush. A comparative clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine the plaque-removing ability of a curved bristle toothbrush compared to a conventional, straight bristle, manual toothbrush.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 100 volunteers 16 to 24 years of age from a professional engineering college. A four-week post-prophylaxis, parallel, longitudinal, double-blind clinical study was conducted; all volunteers were instructed in specific oral hygiene techniques. Plaque was assessed at baseline and at the end of 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks using the Quigley-Hein plaque index after disclosing with erythrosin red. Gingival status was assessed at baseline and at the end of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks by using the gingival index of Löe and Silness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparative assessment showed a mean of 2.11 +/- 0.086 mm for group 1 and 2.37 +/- 0.216 mm for group 2, indicating a significant difference between the plaque-removing efficacy of the curved bristle and straight bristle toothbrush.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The curved bristle toothbrush was significantly more effective in removing plaque overall than the conventional toothbrush.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, S.D.M. College of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka, India. chava7@hotmail.com
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Chava
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D010512:Periodontal Index; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome