Manual versus sonic-powered toothbrushing for plaque reduction in patients with dental implants: an explanatory randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate plaque levels following sonic-powered and manual toothbrushing in subjects with dental implants.


METHODS
This study included 36 male and 47 female partially edentulous patients (age range 45-78 years, mean age 59.8 years) that were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: the sonic toothbrush group (n = 42; Philips Sonicare FlexCare® toothbrush) or the manual toothbrush group (n = 41; Oral-B P40®). Clinical, microbiological and immunological examinations were performed blinded at baseline and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Microbiological analyses were performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunological analyses (prostaglandin E2) were performed by chromatography-electrospray spectrometry.


RESULTS
The plaque index difference between baseline and 12 months at implants showed no significant difference between sonic or manual toothbrushing in a two-sided Mann-Whitney test (W = 773.5, P = 0.426, 95% CI -0.64 to 0.20). At the end of the study, there were no significant changes in plaque index, bleeding on probing, gingival index, pocket probing depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment level or the microbiological and immunological outcomes at implants or teeth in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study uncovered no significant difference between sonic and manual toothbrushing for plaque reduction at implants and teeth. Both toothbrushes maintain healthy peri-implant soft tissue.
Dental School of Medicine, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Philipps-University, Marburg/Lahn. Germany.
Katrin
K
Swierkot
Manuel
M
Brusius
Diana
D
Leismann
Claudia
C
Nonnenmacher
Rolf
R
Nüsing
Dirk
D
Lubbe
Carmen
C
Schade-Brittinger
Reiner
R
Mengel
D000368:Aged; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002845:Chromatography; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000382:microbiology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013010:Sonication; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D014070:Tooth / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants; D015232:Dinoprostone