Halitosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Halitosis, including details on bad breath, oral hygiene, oral bacteria, treatment.

Efficacy of the Cybersonic in comparison with the Braun 3D Excel and a manual toothbrush.

Zimmer S, Strauss J, Bizhang M, Krage T, Raab WH, Barthel C

Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry and Endodontics, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany. zimmer@med.uni-duesseldorf.de

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of two power toothbrushes (Cybersonic and Braun 3D Excel) and one manual brush (Elmex super 29). MATERIAL AND METHODS: After professional toothcleaning 120 subjects were randomly assigned to three groups. Four weeks later, at baseline, the Quigley-Hein plaque index (QHI), the modified approximal plaque index (API), and the papillary bleeding index (PBI) were recorded. Thereafter the subjects used the assigned toothbrushes for 8 weeks. Improvements of the indices after 4 and 8 weeks were calculated as medians. Kruskal-Wallis- and Mann-Whitney U-test served for statistical analysis. RESULTS: All indices showed statistically significant reductions for both power toothbrushes which were superior to the manual brush (4 weeks: Cybersonic: API, 0.21; PBI, 0.25; QHI, 0.23; Braun: API, 0.20; PBI, 0.39; QHI, 0.22; Elmex: API, 0.04; PBI, 0.02; QHI, 0.07; 8 weeks: Cybersonic: API, 0.28; PBI, 0.36; QHI, 0.41; Braun: API, 0.36; PBI, 0.61; QHI, 0.35; Elmex: API, 0.03; PBI, 0.10; QHI, 0.08; p<0.001). The Braun was superior to the Cybersonic with respect to API after 8 weeks (p<0.05) and PBI after 4 and 8 weeks (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Cybersonic and Braun 3D Excel may be more efficacious than a manual toothbrush in removing plaque and reducing gingivitis.

Published 6 April 2005 in J Clin Periodontol, 32(4): 360-3.
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