A comparison of the efficacy of a novel electric toothbrush and a manual toothbrush in the treatment of gingivitis.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficiency of a new electric toothbrush featuring a novel three-dimensional brush head action, with a manual toothbrush, in resolving gingivitis which had been allowed to develop in a group of subjects prior to the treatment phase of the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized split-mouth study. A total of 35 healthy non-dental students refrained from any oral hygiene on the lower jaw for a period of 21 days in order to develop gingivitis. They then brushed one quadrant of the lower jaw with the Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover and the other with a manual toothbrush for a period of 4 weeks. Plaque and gingivitis were evaluated at the start of the study, after the 21 days of no oral hygiene, and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of brushing twice a day. RESULTS: At the end of the study, the 3D was found to be significantly more effective at reducing bleeding on probing (P < 0.05) for all sites combined and all individual sites. Plaque removal was also significantly more effective with the 3D. Subjects in the study reported that they preferred the 3D to the manual toothbrush and said that it would encourage them to brush for longer. It is concluded that the new Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover offers advantages over a manual toothbrush in terms of plaque control and improvement of gingival condition.