Clinical and laboratory evaluation of powered electric toothbrushes: comparative efficacy of two powered brushing instruments in furcations and interproximal areas

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of two powered brushing instruments (Rota-dent, Pro-Dentec Inc. and Interplak, Bausch and Lomb Inc.) for control of plaque and gingivitis in interproximal spaces and furcations. Thirty-five patients, randomly selected from a pool of post-active therapy, periodontal surgical cases, completed this study. A split-mouth design was utilized in this twelve-week trial with each patient acting as his/her own control. Subjects alternately brushed one-half of their mouths with each of the instruments: a crossover in the brushing pattern occurred at six weeks. Single-blind clinical assessments were made by a calibrated investigator at baseline, six and twelve weeks. Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI) and Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI) were determined in interproximal and furcation areas. Mean percent reductions from baseline for GI, PI and PBI at the end of twelve weeks were 72%, 61% and 70%, respectively for the Rota-dent, and 46%, 43% and 27%, respectively for the Interplak. One-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) and co-variance (ANCOVA) indicate that the Rota-dent was significantly more effective (p < 0.001) than the Interplak in controlling plaque and gingivitis in furcation and interproximal areas with clinically relevant differences in all indices measured.