Dental plaque score reduction with an oscillating‐rotating power toothbrush and a high‐frequency sonic power toothbrush: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of single‐brushing exercises

AIM: To establish the effect of a single‐brushing exercise on dental plaque removal using an oscillating‐rotating power toothbrush (OR‐PTB) as compared to a high‐frequency sonic power toothbrush (HFS‐PTB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MEDLINE‐PubMed and Cochrane‐CENTRAL databases were searched up to September 2019. The inclusion criteria contained (randomized) controlled clinical trials involving healthy adult participants brushing with an OR‐PTB as compared to an HFS‐PTB. Plaque index (PI) scores were evaluated after a single‐brushing exercise. RESULTS: A total of 15 publications were included, representing 34 comparisons, of which 8 were professional brushing exercises and 26 participant brushing exercises. The potential risk of bias was estimated to be low. In the overall descriptive analysis of 34 comparisons, 19 comparisons showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the OR‐PTB and 4 in favour of the HFS‐PTB. The meta‐analysis using the professional brushing study design showed a significant difference of means (DiffM) in favour of the OR‐PTB (PI score) (DiffM 0.19; P < .0001) (95% CI [013; 0.25]). In those studies where the participants brushed themselves, the data were inconclusive. PI scores showed no difference between the two brushes (P = .15), while one plaque index (the Rustogi Modified Navy plaque index) indicated significant favour for the OR‐PTB (DiffM 0.06; P = .002) (95% CI [0.02; 0.09]). CONCLUSION: Based on the estimated evidence profile, there is moderate certainty of evidence of a very small but significant beneficial effect on plaque removal after a single‐brushing exercise with the OR‐PTB over the HFS‐PTB.