title: Comparison of rotation/oscillation and sonic power toothbrushes on plaque and gingivitis for 10 weeks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although power toothbrushes provide valuable tools toward improving oral health, contrasting results are discerned in their efficiency. This 10-week study was conducted to compare the safety and efficacy of rotation/oscillation and sonic power toothbrushes in the reduction of plaque and gingivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This two-treatment, parallel group, examiner-blind, randomized study had the subjects brush twice daily at home with their assigned rotation/oscillation or sonic toothbrush following manufacturer's instructions with center visits at baseline, and at 4 and 10 weeks following the baseline visit, for assessment of oral safety (all visits), plaque (baseline, Weeks 4 and 10), and gingivitis (baseline and Week 10). Gingivitis and number of bleeding sites were measured using the Löe-Silness Gingivitis Index, and plaque was measured using the Turesky Modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At Week 10, 171 subjects were evaluable for plaque assessment (85 in Sonic group, 86 in rotation/oscillation group) and 165 subjects were evaluable for gingivitis and bleeding sites assessment (84 in sonic group, 81 in rotation/oscillation group). The rotation/oscillation group had statistically significantly lower gingivitis scores (by 3.5%) and statistically significantly fewer bleeding sites than the sonic group (by 16.1%) with P = 0.038 and 0.028, respectively, at Week 10. Compared to baseline, only the rotation/oscillation group showed a statistically significant improvement in gingivitis (P = 0.003) and bleeding (P < 0.001) at Week 10. At both Weeks 4 and 10, the rotation/oscillation group had directionally lower plaque scores than the sonic group (by approximately 3%), but treatment group differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.1) at either time point. Both groups showed statistically significantly lower plaque scores at Weeks 4 and 10 relative to baseline.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri at Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rapley
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haun
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grender
authors.forename: Aaron R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Biesbrock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012399:Rotation; D012449:Safety; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents