8-week evaluation of anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis benefits of a unique multi-directional power toothbrush versus a sonic control toothbrush.

PURPOSE: To assess the ability of a novel multi-directional power toothbrush to control plaque and gingivitis when compared to a marketed sonic power toothbrush control.

METHODS: This was a randomized and controlled, examiner-blinded, parallel group, 8-week study at a single center, in adult subjects with mild-to-moderate gingivitis. Pre-treatment gingivitis levels and plaque coverage were evaluated at baseline using the Lobene Modified Gingival Index (MGI), the Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), and the Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI). Qualified subjects were randomly assigned to either a novel multi-directional power toothbrush with a wireless display (Oral-B Professional Deep Sweep + SmartGuide TRICLEAN 5000, also marketed as Oral-B TriZone) or the marketed control sonic toothbrush (Philips Sonicare FlexCare). After a supervised brushing at the clinical site at baseline, subjects brushed unsupervised at home twice daily according to manufacturer instructions with the assigned test brush and standard sodium fluoride dentifrice. After 8 weeks, subjects were recalled to assess toothbrush efficacy via the MGI and GBI gingivitis and RMNPI plaque evaluations.

RESULTS: A total of 128 evaluable subjects completed the study. After 8 weeks of brushing, both test toothbrushes provided statistically significant reductions compared to baseline in mean whole mouth MGI and GBI, and in RMNPI whole mouth and interproximal (approximal) sites (P < 0.001). The novel multi-directional power brush consistently produced significantly superior anti-gingivitis and anti-plaque reductions relative to pre-treatment versus the sonic control brush: the Week 8 adjusted mean relative reductions were 30% and 29% greater for whole mouth MGI and GBI, respectively (P < 0.001); and were 44% and 77% greater for the RMNPI whole mouth and interproximal regions, respectively (P < or = 0.003). Both toothbrushes were well-tolerated.