Plaque removal efficacy of an advanced rotation-oscillation power toothbrush versus a new sonic toothbrush.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the plaque removal efficacy and safety of an advanced rotation-oscillation power toothbrush relative to a newly-introduced sonic toothbrush.

METHODS: This study used a randomized, examiner-blind, two-treatment, four-period, four-sequence crossover design. Subjects received both toothbrushes (Oral-B Triumph and Sonicare FlexCare) and a standard dentifrice from the study site and used each toothbrush at home during an acclimation phase prior to their plaque measurement visits. After abstaining from all oral hygiene for 24 hours, subjects returned to the study site and were assessed with the Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index. They then brushed for 2 minutes with their first randomly-assigned toothbrush and post-brushing plaque scores were recorded. This procedure was followed for three additional study visits, with subjects using their normal at-home toothbrush and dentifrice for the 2- to 5-day washout periods between visits. Subjects always abstained from all oral hygiene for 24 hours prior to their visits.

RESULTS: 45 subjects completed the study. Both brushes were found to be safe and both significantly reduced plaque after a single brushing. Oral-B Triumph was statistically significantly (P < 0.0001) more effective in plaque removal than Sonicare FlexCare for whole mouth plaque scores, gingival marginal plaque scores and interproximal plaque scores. Compared to Sonicare FlexCare, the adjusted mean plaque reduction scores for Oral-B Triumph were 21%, 23% and 22% greater for whole mouth, marginal and interproximal areas, respectively.