The Effects of Use of a Powered and a Manual Home Oral Hygiene Regimen on Plaque and Gum Health in an Orthodontic Population.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two home use oral hygiene regimens on plaque, gingivitis, and gingival bleeding on subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

Methods: This was a randomized, parallel, single-center clinical trial. Eligible study subjects fit the following profile: age 12-65 years; nonsmoker; plaque score of = 2.0 per Bonded Bracket Index (BBI) on dentition with fixed orthodontic hardware; minimum of 10 orthodontic brackets in each arch or on all teeth from first molar to first molar; presenting with mild to moderate gingivitis, defined as a score of = 1 on at least 20 sites per Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI). Subjects with advanced periodontal disease or gingival recession were not eligible. Eligible subjects were randomized to one of two home use oral hygiene regimens: manual toothbrush plus string floss (used with a threading device) for interdental cleaning (MTF regimen); or Philips Sonicare EasyClean power toothbrush with InterCare brush head and AirFloss Pro powered device, used with BreathRx mouthrinse for interdental cleaning (Sonicare Orthodontic Regimen or SOR). All subjects brushed twice daily with standard fluoridated dentifrice and performed interdental cleaning once daily. Efficacy and safety examinations were performed at Baseline and following three and six weeks of home use of the study products, and included assessments of BBI, GBI, Modified Gingival Index (MGI), and Modified Plaque Index (MPI).

Results: Of 228 enrolled subjects, 223 were included in the primary analysis. For the primary endpoint, reduction in BBI score following three weeks of product use, the overall least squares (LS) mean (95% CI) reduction was 0.89 (0.84, 0.95) for SOR and 0.06 (0.01, 0.12) for MTF. Expressed as percent reduction (95% CI) from Baseline, this was 33.1% (31.1%, 35.2%) for SOR and 2.01% (-0.06%, 4.07%) for MTF. The differences between regimens were statistically significant, p < 0.0001. Statistically significant differences between regimens were observed in BBI following six weeks of product use, and also for all other efficacy variables (GBI, MGI, MPI) at Week 3 and Week 6.

Conclusions: The powered oral hygiene regimen was significantly more effective than a manual regimen in reducing plaque on bracketed and non-bracketed teeth, and in reducing gingival bleeding and gingival inflammation in orthodontic subjects following three weeks of use and persisting following six weeks of use. All products were safe on oral tissues and fixed orthodontic appliances.