A Clinical Evaluation of an Electric Toothbrush

AN U M B E R of c l i n i c a l 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and nonc l in ica l 5 , 6 , 7 investigations, includ• ing safety7 and abrasion studies,5 ,6 have been conducted to evaluate electric toothbrushes. The prevention or removal of dental plaque, removal of oral debris, trauma to soft tissue, effect on gingivitis and stippling, bleeding on instrumentation, and the effect on keratinization have all been used as a means of assessing the effectiveness of the electric toothbrush in clinical studies. One or more of such methods of assessment of electric brushes have been used in studies conducted on hospitalized patients,8 handicapped children9 and adults,2 mentally retarded children,1 0 normal children, 1 1 , 1 2 periodontal patients, 1 3 , 1 4 dental students and/or hyg ien i s t s , 1 , 3 , 1 1 , 1 5 , 1 6 , 1 7 , 1 8 , 1 9 edentulous patients,20 and "nondentally oriented" college students.4 Although these studies have provided valuable information, there appears to be no general agreement that any electric toothbrush is any more or less effective than the regular hand brush. Furthermore, no detailed assessment of the effect on periodontal disease, as represented by a comprehensive periodontal disease index, has been undertaken in any investigation. The purpose of this study was: (1) to compare the effectiveness of an electric toothbrush* and a regular hand brush in

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