Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an electrically active toothbrush on established plaque and gingivitis in a 7-month clinical trial.
Material and methods: For this study, 66 volunteers (non-dental University students) were selected on the basis of having moderate gingival inflammation. At baseline, plaque (Quigley & Hein), bleeding upon marginal probing and the Modified Gingival index were assessed on the vestibular, mesio-vestibular, disto-vestibular and lingual surfaces at four sites per tooth. Subjects were randomly divided among two groups; one group brushed with a control brush (Butler GUM 309) while the other used the electrically active test brush. After 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 4 months and 7 months the clinical indices were again recorded. At each assessment the participants received a new brush head for the electrically active brush (test group) or a new manual control toothbrush (control group).
Results: All baseline indices appeared to be well balanced. A mean Quigley & Hein plaque score of 1.98 and 2.13 was found in the control and test group, respectively. Little change was observed from baseline to 7 months. The mean bleeding upon marginal probing score at baseline was 0.62 for the control group and 0.59 for the test group. Little to no improvement was observed for the manual brush, whereas an increase in bleeding was observed in the test group in the course of this study. The mean percent reduction in plaque after 1 min of brushing varied throughout the study between 36% and 46%. No difference between the brushes was observed at any time point during the 7-month test period.
Conclusion: No beneficial effect could be shown for the 'electrically active design feature' compared to a regular manual toothbrush control.