Efficacy of interdental plaque control aids in periodontal maintenance patients: A comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the interdental plaque removal capacity of dental floss, a cylindrical and a conical interdental brushes.


METHODS
Fifty individuals were selected from those attending a maintenance programme for periodontally treated patients. Upon written agreement, the Silness and Löe Plaque Index (Pl.I) was registered in nine interdental spaces in three quadrants. The patients were then instructed on the use of each device and performed the cleaning until they felt it was satisfactory using one instrument for each quadrant. The same calibrated examiner registered Pl.I again, unaware of the instruments used in each quadrant. Mean values were calculated and compared by One Way ANOVA + Bonferroni and paired sample t test (alpha=.05). Frequency distribution of scores 0+1 and 2+3 was also calculated and compared by Mc Nemar.


RESULTS
The mean Pl.I at start was 1.71 for dental floss, 1.69 for the conical and 1.66 for the cylindric interdental brushes. All three instruments reduced plaque significantly. Thus, the final mean Pl.I was 1.02, 0.46 and 0.42 for floss, conical and cylindric brushes, respectively. The final values observed for the interdental brushes were significantly smaller than those observed for floss. The same result was observed for the frequencies of 0+1 and 2+3 criteria of the Pl.I.


CONCLUSIONS
It may be concluded that, for individuals in periodontal maintenance care, interdental toothbrushes, regardless of their shape (conical or cylindric) are more efficacious in interdental supragingival plaque removal than dental floss.
Rösing
Cassiano Kuchenbecker
CK
Department of Periodontology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. ckrosing@hotmail.com
Daudt
Fernando Antonio Rangel Lopes
FA
Festugatto
Fabio Eduardo
FE
Oppermann
Rui Vicente
RV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*