A comparative study of effectiveness in plaque removal by Super Floss and waxed dental floss

The effectiveness of Super Floss and waxed dental floss as proximal surface cleansing agents was compared in 34 subjects. Each subject used 1 agent twice daily for 2 weeks followed by the other agent used with the same frequency and for the same period. The order in which the agents were used was selected at random. Plaque was stained by erythrosin, and a plaque index of Wolffe used. Super Floss was found to be superior to waxed dental floss in removing proximal plaque, but neither was 100% effective. Some plaque was present in 49.9% of the proximal surfaces when Super Floss had been used and on 54.7% when the waxed dental floss had been used. Both agents cleaned distal surfaces better than mesial surfaces, proximal surfaces of anterior teeth more effectively than those of posterior teeth, the coronal half of the proximal surfaces better than the apical half and the facial half more efficiently than the lingual half. No differences were found between maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth. Subjects used more lengths of Super Floss than of waxed dental floss, indicating its relative 'brittleness'. However, the majority of subjects preferred Super Floss, mainly because it was thicker and felt more abrasive.