Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Types of Toothbrushes in Orthodontic Patients
The aim of the study cited below was to evaluate the efficiency of a manual orthodontic brush, an electric toothbrush with an oscillating head, and a sonic toothbrush in controlling plaque, gingivitis, and interproximal bleeding in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances and to compare their relative effectiveness.
Introduction
For patients undergoing treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene. The fixed components of braces, such as bands, brackets, orthodontic wires, and ligatures, trap food and debris, leading to the accumulation of bacterial plaque. This often increases the risk of gingivitis, gingival hyperplasia, enamel demineralization, white spot lesions, and dental caries. Therefore, achieving adequate plaque control in such patients is essential.
Methodology and Study Progress
60 orthodontic patients with upper and lower fixed appliances were randomly divided into 3 equal study groups, with 20 participants in each. They were given a manual orthodontic toothbrush (I), an electric oscillating toothbrush (II), or a sonic toothbrush (III). To assess plaque accumulation, gingival health, and interproximal bleeding levels, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and interproximal bleeding index (IBI) values were determined at the start of the study and at week 4 and 8 during follow-up visits after the fixed appliance bonding. Paired t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were used for within-group and between-group comparisons. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results
In Group III (sonic toothbrush), a statistically significant reduction in all three index scores was observed from baseline, both at the 4th and 8th weeks. The indices continued to improve between the 4th and 8th weeks. These within-group changes were more significant compared to the other groups. No statistically significant differences between the three groups were found in between-group comparisons.
No adverse events such as soft tissue injuries or hard dental tissue abrasions were recorded during the study, indicating that all methods can be considered safe.
Conclusion
When comparing the state at the beginning and during the study within each group, the group with the sonic toothbrush showed more significant improvements in all monitored parameters (gingivitis, plaque, and interproximal bleeding) compared to users of manual orthodontic and electric oscillating toothbrushes. When comparing overall results between groups, it was found that the relative effectiveness of the methods is similar across all toothbrushes.
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Source: Sharma R., Trehan M., Sharma S. et al. Comparison of effectiveness of manual orthodontic, powered and sonic toothbrushes on oral hygiene of fixed orthodontic patients. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015; 8 (3): 181−189, doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1310.
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