Efficacy of an electric toothbrush on plaque control compared to two manual toothbrushes

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare an electric toothbrush with two manual toothbrushes, in their relative efficacy to control plaque. Design: Randomised clinical trial. Setting: Kerman Dental School, Iran. Participants: Forty-five volunteer dental students were randomly assigned to one of three groups. All subjects received a baseline plaque assessment using O'Leary plaque index, and then a prophylaxis to achieve the plaque index of zero. Subjects were trained to brush twice daily, with their assigned device and return after 1 week and then after 2 weeks for plaque assessment. Chi-squared and ANOVA were mainly used. Main outcome measure: Plaque assessment using O'Leary plaque index. Results: Although Jordan toothbrush consistently resulted in lower plaque indices compared to both manual toothbrushes, those differences were not statistically significant, F(2, 42) = 2.45, P = 0.10. Plaque reduction from week 1 to week 2 was significant in Jordan Power group (60%, from 13.46 to 5.44, P = 0.010) and Panbehriz Classic group (53%, from 20.92 to 9.91, P = 0.007). Conclusion: The results of this study shows no evidence of statistically significant difference in respect to plaque control, between Jordan Power electric toothbrush and either of Oral-B Advantage or Panbehriz Classic manual brushes in a group of dental students after 2 weeks. © 2011 FDI World Dental Federation.