Clinical evaluation of brushing time and plaque removal potential of two manual toothbrushes.
OBJECTIVE
To compare plaque removal efficacy of Oral-B CrossAction (CA) used for 1 min with an American Dental Association (ADA) manual toothbrush used for 2 or 5 min in an examiner-blind, three-treatment, six-period crossover study.


METHODS
After refraining from all oral hygiene procedures for 23-25 h, subjects were randomly assigned to one of nine possible six-period (visit) treatment sequences. Plaque was assessed at baseline (Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index). Post-brushing scores were recorded after brushing with a marketed dentifrice and the assigned toothbrush for the specified duration. The same procedure was followed at each of six subsequent visits. Clinical measurements were carried out by the same examiner.


RESULTS
Forty subjects completed the study. All three treatments effectively removed plaque from the whole mouth, along the gingival margin and from approximal surfaces. Whole mouth and gingival margin plaque removal scores with CA for 1 min did not differ significantly from scores with the ADA toothbrush used for 2 min. The ADA brush used for 5 min showed significantly greater whole mouth (P < 0.001) and gingival margin (P < 0.001) plaque reduction than the two other treatments. Approximal plaque removal scores did not differ between the three treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Efficient plaque removal can be achieved after 1 min of brushing with CA. The amount of plaque removed did not differ significantly from that achieved with the ADA brush after 2 min of brushing. Greater whole mouth and gingival margin plaque removal scores were seen with the ADA brush after 5 min.
Terézhalmy
G T
GT
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Biesbrock
A R
AR
Walters
P A
PA
Grender
J M
JM
Bartizek
R D
RD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012824:Silicic Acid; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014070:Tooth / Q000473:pathology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D014100:Toothpastes; C546060:hydrated silica gel-based toothpaste; D012824:Silicic Acid; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012969:Sodium Fluoride