A comparison of the plaque removal efficacy of two power toothbrushes: Oral-b Professional Care Series versus Sonicare Elite.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety and plaque removal efficacy of an oscillating/ pulsating toothbrush (Professional Care Series, Oral-B Laboratories; PCS) and a high frequency toothbrush (Sonicare Elite, Philips Oral Healthcare; SE).


METHODS
The study had a randomised, examiner-blind, crossover design. Sixty-one subjects aged 19-64 years were enrolled. After 23-25 hours of no oral hygiene, subjects received an oral tissue examination and those with pre-brushing whole mouth mean plaque scores > or = 0.60 measured by the Rustogi modified Navy Plaque Index were randomly assigned to treatment sequence. Subjects brushed with their assigned toothbrush for 2 minutes using a commercially available dentifrice. Oral tissues were then re-examined and post-brushing plaque scores recorded. After a brief washout period, the above procedures were repeated with the alternate toothbrush. One examiner blinded to the treatment sequence performed all clinical measurements.


RESULTS
All 61 subjects completed the study. Both toothbrushes significantly reduced plaque levels after a single brushing (t-test, p < 0.0001). However, the PCS was significantly more effective than the SE in whole mouth plaque removal and in reducing plaque from marginal, buccal, lingual and approximal surfaces (ANOVA, p < 0.0001). Whole mouth plaque was reduced by 88% versus 61% and approximal plaque by 97% versus 73% for the PCS and SE toothbrushes, respectively. There was no evidence of hard or soft tissue trauma after a single-use of either toothbrush.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of this single-use clinical evaluation, the action of the oscillating/ pulsating power toothbrush is more effective at plaque removal than a high frequency power toothbrush.
Strate
J
J
Cugini
M A
MA
Warren
P R
PR
Qaqish
J G
JG
Galustians
H J
HJ
Sharma
N C
NC
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000473:pathology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003802:Dentifrices