Objective: This practice-based case series evaluated the effects of the Oral-B® iO™ oscillatingrotating (O-R) electric toothbrush with the novel Targeted Clean™ brush head as part of a home care regimen on the health of the tissues surrounding implant-borne fixed restorations.
Methods: Eight generally healthy, nonsmoking patients withj peri-implant mucositis in at least one implant site and moderate-to-high plaque levels who had not had a professional cleaning in 3 months and were not currently using an O-R toothbrush were recruited from the author's practice. Fixed implant restorations on these eight patients were evaluated for plaque and gingival inflammation (erythema, swelling, and bleeding on probing [BOP]). In collaboration with the dental hygiene team, the patients were introduced to specific protocols for implant maintenance utilizing the Oral-B iO O-R brush and the Targeted Clean brush head. After 6 weeks, the patients were re-evaluated. Clinical findings with photographs and probing as well as the impact of the intervention on each patient's motivation and compliance in maintaining oral hygiene at home were recorded.
Results: After 6 weeks, implant sites with baseline peri-implant mucositis demonstrated no BOP or other signs of infl ammation and reduced plaque scores. The patients' home care compliance and motivation to maintain effective oral hygiene around their implants saw a substantial improvement.
Conclusions: The Oral-B iO O-R electric toothbrush with the novel Targeted Clean brush head, used as part of a home care regimen, markedly reduced peri-implant mucositis around fixed implant restorations among all eight patients in this case series. Key factors were the patient owning their disease pattern and the doctor/hygienist collaboration and use of education protocols to help improve the patients' home care compliance and motivation.