title: Clinical efficacy and patients' acceptance of a rubber interdental bristle. A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Interdental cleaning is an essential component of home plaque control to prevent periodontitis and caries. There is limited data on the efficacy of commonly used metal-core interdental brushes in comparison to metal-free interdental brushes. The aim of this study was to compare a new rubber interdental bristle (Fuchs®) with a standard metal-core interdental brush (TePe®) for their impact upon gingival bleeding, plaque removal, and patient experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-blind, prospective, randomized, and controlled clinical trial with a crossover design was used to measure plaque index (Turesky-Modified Quigley & Hein Index), bleeding index (Eastman Interdental Bleeding Index by Caton & Polson), and patient satisfaction by means of questionnaires in 39 patients. Each patient was randomly assigned with regard to the sequence of interdental product used and recalled.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups showed statistically significant decreases of plaque after a single usage, respectively. Bleeding was statistically significantly reduced after 4 weeks, with no statistically significant differences concerning between the two tested interdental brushes. Rubber interdental bristles reached significantly higher scores with regard to patient acceptance in overall assessment and in sub-items for less pain during usage, comfort of brushing, and willingness to buy the product.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rubber interdental bristles were similarly effective compared to the interdental brushes. In addition, rubber interdental bristles were significantly more comfortable for participants than metal-core brushes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rubber interdental bristles can be used as an alternative interdental cleaning product which may be more accepted by patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative and Aesthetic Dentistry, Homs University, Hama, Syria.
authors.forename: Thaer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abouassi
authors.forename: Johan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Woelber
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Holst
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stampf
authors.forename: Christoph E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Doerfer
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hellwig
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ratka-Krüger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012408:Rubber; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D012408:Rubber