Comparison of a manual and a new electric toothbrush for controlling plaque and gingivitis

In the present clinical trial, the effect on existing plaque and gingivitis of a new electric toothbrush (ET) was compared to that of a manual toothbrush (MT). 40 medical students, age 18-30 years, participated. Plaque index (PlI) and gingival index (GI) were recorded at 6 sites at all teeth. At baseline, a PlI and GI > 1 were required. The participants were at random allocated to a group using either ET or MT and were instructed only to use the assigned toothbrush, brushing each morning and evening for 2 min. No oral hygiene instruction was given. Re-examination was done after 1, 2 and 6 weeks. In the MT group, a minor decrease in mean PlI was found after 6 weeks (all sites: from 1.2 to 1.1, approximal sites: from 1.4 to 1.2). The corresponding figures in the ET group were: 1.2 to 0.6 and 1.4 to 0.8. After 6 weeks, the % of sites with visible plaque with MT was: 24% (all sites) and 30% (approximal sites) and with ET 8% and 9%, respectively. With MT, mean GI was unchanged after 6 weeks compared to baseline, whereas with ET, the changes were from 1.1 to 0.9 (all sites) and from 1.1 to 1.0 (approximal sites). The % of sites with GI score > or = 2 had not changed after 6 weeks with MT (all sites: 11%, approximal sites: 13%). With ET, these results were 3% and 4%, respectively.