Plaque removing capacity of a novel high pressure water irrigator.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the capacity of a novel oral water irrigator to remove established plaque deposits.


METHODS
The study was designed as a randomized two-treatment, crossover, examiner-blinded clinical trial. The plaque removing capability of a prototype oral irrigator was compared to a conventional electric toothbrush. After 48 hours of plaque accumulation the 35 subjects were randomly assigned to professional plaque removal by either oral irrigation or by electric toothbrushing for a timed 2-minute total cleaning. Pre- and post cleaning plaque was disclosed and gingival abrasions were identified. Plaque was assessed on gingival and approximal surfaces of the oral and buccal sites according to the Rustogi et al modification of the Modified Navy Plaque Index. The assessment of gingival abrasions was performed according to the method introduced by Danser et al.


RESULTS
The overall plaque removing capacity of the oral irrigator reached approximately 40.7 +/- 16.7% as compared to 71.6 +/- 11.5% by the electric toothbrush. Similar effects were observed for the gingival and approximal areas. The electric toothbrush caused significantly more gingival abrasions than the oral irrigator.
Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Hospital, Kiel, Germany.
Jörg
J
Eberhard
Silvia
S
Damm
Sandra
S
Freitag
Hans-Karl
HK
Albers
Søren
S
Jepsen
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004560:Electricity; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation