Comparison of different tooth brushes on the degree of plaque removal

BACKGROUND: At present, different designs of tooth brushes are available, each one is being claimed to be the best by their manufacturers. There is a need to compare the plaque removal efficacy of the most popular designs. AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare the degree ofplaque removal obtained with the use of two commercially available tooth brushes with round ended and thinner tip bristles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 60 subjects within age range 18–40 years, randomly distributed into 2 groups, 30 in each: Group A- round ended bristle, Group B– thinner tip bristle. Turesky, Gilmore, Glickman Modification of Quigley-Hein Plaque Index, (1970), (PI) was assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks; and Muhlemann and Son, (1971), Sulcus bleeding index (SBI) at baseline and 2 weeks were assessed in each subject. Scaling was done at 2(nd) week, 4(th) week, and 6(th) week after assessment of parameter. At 4(th) week the subjects were switched over to another type of brush for crossover evaluation. RESULTS: Over 2 weeks, both the groups showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in plaque score, better reduction in Group A with mean differences of 0.48 than 0.41 in Group B, though it was insignificant on intergroup comparison (P = 0.09). There was reduction in SBI in both groups with mean difference of 0.50 in Group A and 0.11 in Group B and this was statically insignificant. But on comparison, between the two groups at 2 weeks, statically significant reduction was there in Group A. Brushing with specified brush, after scaling, at 4(th) week Group A had significantly better plaque control (P < 0.01). Upon crossover analysis, better efficiency of round ended bristles was observed but it did not reach the significance level (P = 0.126). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, the data derived from the study show that both the toothbrushes had shown decrease in plaque scores. Round ended bristles were more efficient.