Comparative efficacy of a new battery-powered toothbrush and an electric toothbrush on plaque removal

This single-use, examiner-blind clinical study evaluated the plaque-removal efficacy of a new, battery-powered toothbrush (Colgate Actibrush) compared to a commercially available electric toothbrush (Braun Oral-B Plaque Remover) after 24 hours of no oral hygiene. Adult men and women reported to the clinical facility having refrained from oral hygiene procedures for 24 hours, and were stratified into 2 balanced groups according to plaque (prebrushing) scores. Participants then brushed their teeth for 1 minute, under supervision, with their assigned toothbrush and a commercially available toothpaste (Colgate Cavity Protection Great Regular Flavor Fluoride Toothpaste) and again were evaluated for supragingival plaque (postbrushing). The same dental examiner conducted the prebrushing and postbrushing plaque examinations. The study found no statistically significant difference in plaque removal between the group using the battery-powered toothbrush and the group using the electric toothbrush. Both power toothbrushes were found clinically to be equally effective with regard to the removal of 24-hour plaque accumulation.