title: The Bass technique using a specially designed toothbrush.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reducing the plaque index (PI) is still the main objective in the prevention of gingivitis and periodontitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This experiment evaluated the efficiency of a new manual toothbrush shape from two perspectives: allowing the maximum exploitation of the bristle surface in all directions of the dental arches and simplifying the Bass technique handling and movements in domestic oral care.
  
  
  METHODS
  The distinct shape was obtained by distancing the bristle surface from the surface of the toothbrush handle in the direction of the bristles, maintaining the two surfaces on parallel planes. This modification facilitates brushing with the Bass technique, since rotation of the new toothbrush handle on its axis allows the bristle surface to cover a greater area. Sixteen patients between the ages of 23 and 49 years with at least 28 dental elements were divided randomly into two groups. On the first day, they underwent professional plaque removal and were provided with pairs of toothbrushes to test. They were evaluated 30 days later using the Full Mouth Plaque Score determined by two dental hygienists who were unaware of the instructions given concerning the method, quadrants and toothbrushes used for the experiment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the modifications to the manual toothbrushes produced greater PI control compared with the traditionally shaped toothbrushes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although oral hygiene testing at home usually provides subjective information, in this experiment, the data provided a positive, objective result.
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Bologna, Italy. alessiobattaglia@hotmail.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Battaglia