How effective is a powered toothbrush as compared to a manual toothbrush? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of single brushing exercises

OBJECTIVES: In adult participants, what is, following a single brushing exercise, the efficacy of a powered toothbrush (PTB) as compared to a manual toothbrush (MTB) on plaque removal? METHODS: MEDLINE‐PubMed and Cochrane‐CENTRAL were searched from inception to February 2019. The inclusion criteria were (randomized) controlled clinical trials conducted in human subjects ≥18 years of age, in good general health and without periodontitis, orthodontic treatment, implants and/or removable prosthesis. Papers evaluating a PTB compared with a MTB in a single brushing exercise were included. When plaque scores were assessed according to the Quigley‐Hein plaque index (Q&HPI) or the Rustogi modified Navy plaque index (RMNPI). From the eligible studies, data were extracted. A meta‐analysis and subanalysis for brands and mode of action being oscillating‐rotating (OR) and side‐to‐side (SS) were performed when feasible. RESULTS: Independent screening of 3450 unique papers resulted in 17 eligible publications presenting 36 comparisons. In total, 28 comparisons assessed toothbrushing efficacy according to the Q&HPI and eight comparisons used the RMNPI. Results showed a significant effect in favour of the PTB. The difference of Means (DiffM) was −0.14 (P < 0.001; 95%CI [−0.19; −0.09]) for the Q&HPI and −0.10 (P < 0.001; 95%CI [−0.14; −0.06]) for the RMNPI, respectively. The subanalysis on the OR mode of action showed a DiffM −0.16 (P < 0.001; 95%CI [−0.22, −0.10]) for the Q&HPI. For the SS mode of action using RMNPI, the DiffM showed −0.10 (P < 0.001; 95%CI [−0.15; −0.05]). The subanalysis for brands showed for the P&G OR PTB using the Q&HPI a DiffM of −0.15 (P < 0.001; 95%CI [−0.22; −0.08]) and the Colgate SS for RMNPI showed a DiffM of −0.15 (P < 0.001; 95%CI [−0.18; −0.12]). CONCLUSION: There is moderate certainty that the PTB was more effective than the MTB with respect to plaque removal following a single brushing exercise independent of the plaque index scale that was used.