An investigation of the efficacy and safety of a new electric interdental plaque remover for the reduction of interproximal plaque and gingivitis.

This clinical study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of the new Braun Oral-B Interclean (ID2) with that of dental floss in healthy adults. Volunteers with sufficient dental plaque and gingivitis were randomized to use the ID2 (n = 24) or American Dental Association-approved dental floss (n = 24) in conjunction with toothbrushing once nightly for 6 weeks. All subjects received a supragingival prophylaxis and polishing at the start of the study. Over the study period, both devices produced significant reductions in interproximal plaque, gingivitis and bleeding (p < 0.01). With the ID2, there were reductions in interproximal plaque scores (all sites) of approximately 40% compared with 28% with dental floss. A decrease in gingivitis of 15% was observed with the ID2 compared with 12% for floss users. Bleeding on probing was reduced by 25% with the ID2 and by 34% with dental floss. There was a trend in favor of the ID2 with respect to reduction in plaque which achieved statistical significance (p = 0.05) for the posterior three interproximal sites. Differences between treatment groups with respect to gingivitis and bleeding reductions were not statistically significant. No adverse events were reported or observed during the study. It is concluded that the ID2 has equivalent efficacy to dental floss for the reduction of interproximal plaque and gingivitis.