12-week clinical evaluation of a rotation/oscillation power toothbrush versus a new sonic power toothbrush in reducing gingivitis and plaque

• Published in: American journal of dentistry Vol. 25; no. 5; p. 287
• Main Authors: Klukowska, Malgorzata, Grender, Julie M, Goyal, C Ram, Mandl, Christian, Biesbrock, Aaron R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2012
• Subjects: Adult; Dental Plaque - prevention & control; Female; Gingivitis - prevention & control; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Single-Blind Method; Toothbrushing - instrumentation
• ISSN: 0894-8275

To evaluate the efficacy of an advanced rotation/oscillation power toothbrush (Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide) relative to a new sonic power toothbrush (Sonicare DiamondClean) in the reduction of gingivitis and plaque over a period of 12 weeks. This was a single-center, open-label, examiner-blind, two-treatment, parallel group, randomized study in which subjects brushed with their assigned toothbrush and a marketed dentifrice for 2 minutes twice daily at home for 12 weeks. Gingivitis and plaque were evaluated at baseline, Week 6 and Week 12 using the Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Number of Bleeding Sites, and Rustogi Modification of the Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI). Safety was also assessed at every visit. At the end of the study, subjects completed a consumer questionnaire to evaluate their brushing experience. In total, 130 subjects were randomized to treatment and completed the study (65 per group). The rotation/oscillation group had higher gingivitis reductions from baseline at Weeks 6 and 12 by 31.9% and 32.3%, respectively, for MGI and by 43.4% and 34.9%, respectively, for number of bleeding sites than the sonic group. Group differences at both Weeks 6 and 12 were highly significant (P < 0.001) for both MGI and number of bleeding sites. The rotation/oscillation group had higher RMNPI plaque reductions from baseline at Weeks 6 and 12 by 15.8% and 19.3%, respectively, for whole mouth; by 24.1% and 30.4% at the gumline; and by 22.9% and 24.4% in the approximal regions, than the sonic group. Comparisons between groups at Week 12 were highly significant (P < or = 0.002) for all three mouth areas; group differences at Week 6 were significant (P < 0.05) for whole mouth and approximal RMNPI. Analysis of the questionnaire data showed that subjects using the rotation/oscillation brush rated it higher for several key attributes than subjects in the sonic group. There were no safety concerns with either brush.