A randomized, 3-month, parallel-group clinical trial to compare the efficacy of electric 3-dimensional toothbrushes vs manual toothbrushes in maintaining oral health in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances

Manual toothbrushes, self-toothbrushing, and replacement duration to remove dental plaque and improve gingival health: A scoping review from recent research

OBJECTIVE

To investigate characteristics of manual toothbrushes, self-toothbrushing methods, and replacement duration of manual toothbrushes that effectively remove dental plaque, reduce gingivitis, and promote gingival health.

STUDY DATA AND SOURCES

PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus and Central Register Cochrane of Controlled trials (CENTRAL) were searched for randomized control trials (RCTs) from 01 January 2018 to 12 December 2023. Articles were subjected for including participants aged six years and older with a study duration of at least four weeks to investigate the efficacy of manual toothbrushes used self-toothbrushing. To investigate the appropriate time to replace manual toothbrushes, this study was focused on the physical properties of the bristles and changes in the microorganisms present in the bristles over time.

STUDY SELECTION

Of 1520 retrieved articles, 26 studies were included after screening. The total number of manual toothbrushes was 40 and 5 kinds of self-toothbrushing techniques were selected in the review. 4 studies investigated the changes the physical properties bristles of manual toothbrushes.

CONCLUSIONS

Among manual toothbrushes, the cross-angle and indicator bristles were found to significantly improve dental plaque index and gingival condition. Most toothbrushes with soft bristles had a trend of superior dental plaque removal and gingivitis improvement efficacy. Toothbrush with end-round shape bristles tip has tended to reduce the dental plaque and gingival index scores. Studies reported that brushing twice a day for at least two minutes using the Bass method had a positive effect on the dental plaque and gingival index. Further research is required to investigate the relationships between property physical bristle and clinical intraoral indices to clarify the replacement duration of manual toothbrushes.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The findings of this study could guide people's daily self-brushing habits, thereby aiding the prevention of periodontal disease. Moreover, our findings suggest the need for strategic clinical trial designs to verify the ideal timing to replace manual toothbrushes.

Manual vs. interactive power toothbrush on plaque removal and salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei levels : Single-center, examiner-blinded, randomized clinical trial in orthodontic patients

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to compare efficacy of a manual and an interactive power toothbrush in orthodontic patients by assessing periodontal indexes and bacterial content of saliva samples.

METHODS

Forty patients (20 females, 20 males; age range 12-18 years) with fixed orthodontic appliances were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups in a 1:1 ratio using sealed envelopes: group 1: manual toothbrush (Oral‑B Ortho Brush, Procter&Gamble Company, Dublin, Ireland), group 2: interactive power toothbrush (Oral‑B Genius 8900, Procter&Gamble Company, Marktheidenfeld, Germany). All participants were given the same toothpaste (Colgate Triple Action, Colgate-Palmolive, New York, NY, USA). The brushing procedure for each patient was described in detail, both orally and visually, utilizing a video demonstration. Plaque and bleeding index scores were recorded for both the lower and upper arches at the beginning of the study (T0) and at weeks 6 (T1) and 12 (T2). In addition, the numbers of Streptococcus (S.) mutans, Lactobacillus (L.) casei, and Porphyromonas (P.) gingivalis bacteria were determined using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis in saliva samples collected at T0, T1, and T2 times. Mann-Whitney U test and Student's t test were used to compare data between the groups, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Friedman tests were used to compare data from different time intervals for each group.

RESULTS

Plaque index values were greater in group 1 at T1 and T2, although there was no difference between the groups at T0. The gingival index scores of both groups were similar at T0, T1, and T2. While group 2 had a larger number of salivary S. mutans at T0 and T2, there was no significant difference between the groups at T1. At all three time points, there was no significant difference in salivary L. casei levels between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the interactive power toothbrush was more effective at removing plaque than the manual toothbrush, the results of the gingival index did not reflect the plaque scores. The number of certain salivary bacteria and brush type did not appear to have a clear relationship.

The effectiveness of water jet flossing and interdental flossing for oral hygiene in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Orthodontic treatment presents challenges with plaque accumulation around brackets, archwires, and elastics, leading to retained plaque and gingival inflammation. Conventional toothbrushing may not be enough, requiring additional oral hygiene aids like interproximal brushes, dental flosses, and water flossers. Limited research exists on comparing water flossing and interdental flossing in orthodontic patients. Therefore, this study aims to assess their effectiveness in maintaining oral hygiene during active orthodontic treatment.

METHODS

A single-blind, randomized, parallel clinical study recruited orthodontic patients with full-mouth brackets and archwires. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either water jet flossing or interdental flossing groups. All participants were instructed to brush twice daily with a provided toothbrush and toothpaste and use the assigned intervention once daily at night. Clinical measures, including the Gingival Bleeding Index (BI), Plaque Index (PI), and Gingival Index (GI), were recorded at baseline and day 14. Descriptive statistics and statistical tests were performed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

The water jet flossing group demonstrated a slightly higher, albeit non-significant, benefit in plaque removal (median difference of 6.79%%, P = 0.279) and bleeding reduction (median difference of 5.21%%, P = 0.172) compared to the interdental flossing group after two weeks. Both groups showed significant reductions in gingival bleeding index and plaque index from baseline to the 2-week follow-up. The interdental flossing group had median mean percentage differences of 16.13%% (plaque index) and 23.57% (gingival bleeding index), while the water jet flossing group had median percentage differences of 21.87% (plaque index) and 32.29% (gingival bleeding index). No significant changes in gingival index grades were observed in either group.

CONCLUSION

Both water jet flossing and interdental flossing were effective in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival bleeding among orthodontic patients. While no significant differences were found between the two methods, water jet flossing showed a potential advantage. Further research is needed to validate its effectiveness, assess long-term impact, and understand its benefits for orthodontic patients.

Cleaning performance of electric toothbrushes around brackets applying different brushing forces: an in-vitro study

Throughout treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances, effective plaque control is crucial to maintaining dental health. This in-vitro study evaluated the cleaning performance of eleven different brush heads of seven electric toothbrushes (oscillating-rotating and sonic motions) and varying brushing forces around orthodontic brackets. Six Mini Diamond® Twin brackets were placed on black-stained front teeth. Teeth were coated with white titanium oxide and brushed in a machine six times for one minute with two different brushing forces (1 N and 1.5 N). Eleven different brush heads were evaluated (either oscillating-rotating or sonic movements). The teeth were scanned and planimetrically evaluated after brushing. Three detailed plaque areas (DPAs) were created: proximal (< 1 mm to bracket), mid-tier (1-2 mm to bracket), and distant (> 2 mm to bracket). The proportion of contaminated proximal, mid-tier, and distant surfaces (white regions) in relation to the respective DPA was calculated. Independent of brushing forces, places with a higher distance (> 2 mm) to the orthodontic bracket had the least amount of residual contamination, followed by areas with a minor (1-2 mm) and proximal distance (< 1 mm). In all of the brushes tested and for both estimated brushing forces, the region with the highest residual contamination was the proximal area. The brush heads of the Paro® Sonic toothbrush left the least amount of residual contamination. The cleaning performance of electric toothbrushes around brackets on upper incisors varied across the brushes examined. The proximal area has the most residual contamination. Furthermore, 9 out of 11 toothbrushes cleaned more successfully with 1.5 N than with 1 N brushing force.

Efficacy of Sonic-Powered and Manual Toothbrushes on Plaque-Induced Gingivitis in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hormonal changes and physiological alterations in pregnancy increase the susceptibility of the woman to oral diseases such as plaque-induced gingivitis. In individual oral prophylaxis, effective tooth brushing can reduce gingival inflammation. Therefore, it is necessary to update the scientific evidence to identify which type of toothbrush, manual or sonic-powered, is most effective in reducing the incidence of gingivitis in pregnant women. The aim of this clinical trial is to compare the biofilm control effectiveness of two manual and two sonic toothbrushes in pregnant women. This study is designed as a four-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1:1:1. The pregnant woman will be included at 15-18 weeks of amenorrhea and followed for 3 months. The primary outcome will be the change in the incidence of gingival bleeding from a baseline and various follow-up periods of the study. Secondary outcomes measures will be to compare clinical effects of the toothbrushes tested on (i) gingival inflammation, (ii) dental plaque, (iii) gingival attachment and (iv) periodontal pocket; and to assess toothbrush acceptability. Thus, identifying the best device for effective tooth brushing in pregnancy could be helpful in reducing and improving the incidence of gingival inflammation.

Systematic Review and Meta Analysis of the Relative Effect on Plaque Index among Pediatric Patients Using Powered (Electric) versus Manual Toothbrushes

Although many randomized controlled trials (RCT) have evaluated the efficacy of powered or electric toothbrushes compared with manual or traditional toothbrushes to remove biofilm and plaque, only one systematic review has been published for pediatric patients. The primary objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta analysis for this population. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol, N = 321 studies were initially identified. Three independent, blinded abstract reviews were completed resulting in a total of n = 38/322 or 11.8% for the final analysis (n = 27 non-orthodontic, n = 11 orthodontic studies). Meta analysis of these outcome data have revealed a strong reduction in plaque index scores among pediatric patients using electric toothbrushes of approximately 17.2% for non-orthodontic patients and 13.9% for orthodontic patients. These results provide strong clinical evidence for recommending electric toothbrushing to pediatric patients, as well as those patients undergoing orthodontic therapy and treatment.

Changes in Distribution of Dental Biofilm after Insertion of Fixed Orthodontic Appliances

Good oral hygiene is an important factor in oral and general health, especially in orthodontic patients, because fixed appliances might impede effective oral hygiene and thus increase the risks of tooth decay, periodontal disease and general health complications. This study investigated the impact of fixed orthodontic appliances on the distribution of dental biofilm in teenagers. Supragingival plaque was assessed at T0, T1 and T2. The distribution of the biofilm was analyzed. Approximal Plaque Index (API) and Bonded Bracket Index (BBI) were used to measure the presence of dental plaque. After insertion of the fixed appliance, the dental plaque indices values in the orthodontically treated group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the control group. Fixed orthodontic appliances caused significant changes in the distribution of the biofilm. This was characterized by the change of location of the dental plaque. In the orthodontic group, we observed an increase in the amount of the supragingival plaque on the vestibular surface of the teeth.