A comparative study of electric and manual toothbrushes on oral hygiene status in fixed orthodontic patients

Park, Chang Hun; Hwang, Hyeon Shik; Lee, Ki Heon; Hong, Suk Jin

Abstract

Patients with fixed orthodontic appliances frequently have increased levels of plaque accumulation leading to the possibility of gingivitis or enamel decalcification. Although many methods may be helpful in reducing dental plaque formation, the optimal mechanical removal of plaque is the most important factor during orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an electric toothbrush (with a specially designed orthodontic brush head) compared to a manual toothbrush in controlling plaque and gingivitis for patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Oral hygiene status was measured in thirty-four patients using a plaque index, a gingival index and a bleeding index, before and four weeks after the attachment of fixed orthodontic appliances. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: electric and manual toothbrush groups. Oral hygiene instruction was given according to the type of toothbrush used. The Braun Oral-B D9511 with Braun Oral-B Ortho OD 15-1 brush head was used as the electric toothbrush while the Butler G.U.M. 124 was given as the manual toothbrush. After four and eight weeks, oral hygiene status was measured again. Through a comparison between the electric and the manual toothbrush groups, the following results were obtained. 1. All oral hygiene indices showed an increasing tendency after four weeks of fixed orthodontic appliance. 2. All indices presented a decreasing tendency four and eight weeks after oral hygiene instruction. 3. In case of the gingival index and bleeding index, the decreasing tendency did not show a statistically significant difference between the electric and the manual toothbrush groups. 4. The decreasing tendency of plaque index presented a statistically significant difference between the two groups, showing that the electric toothbrush was more effective in terms of oral hygiene. These findings suggest that an electric toothbrush is useful to orthodontic patients with fixed appliances.