ORAL HEALTH EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROGRAM
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Title The Use of Powered Toothbrushes Versus Manual Toothbrushes for Gingivitis
Clinical Question Does the use of a powered toothbrush with rotation oscillation reduce the presence of gingivitis more than a manual toothbrush?
Clinical Bottom Line If a patient uses a powered toothbrush with rotation oscillation there is a more beneficial decrease in gingivitis than if a patient uses a manual toothbrush. (See Comments on the CAT below)
Best Evidence (you may view more info by clicking on the PubMed ID link)
PubMed ID Author / Year Patient Group Study type
(level of evidence)
#1) 12535436Heanue/2005There was a random group of 2,547 people who had no physical challenges hindering them from brushing their teeth. They were told to brush for at least 4 weeks. At the end of the 4 weeks they observed changes of plaque levels and gingivitis. Meta-analysis
Key resultsThe effect measure for each meta-analysis was the standardized mean difference (SMD) with the appropriate 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random effect models. At one to three months the SMD for gingivitis SMD -0.44 (95% CI: -0.72, -0.15). These represented an a 6% reduction on the Loe and Silness gingival index. At over three months the effects were SMD for gingivitis -0.51 (95% CI: -0.76, -0.25). These represented a 17% reduction on the Ainamo Bay Bleeding on Probing Gingival Index. Therefore, in the short term and long term, toothbrushes that use a rotation oscillation movement eliminated more plaque and decreased gingivitis more efficiently than manual brushes.
Evidence Search #18Search (#15) AND #16 Limits: Meta-Analysis10:31:3612#17Search (#15) AND #1610:31:19557#16Search \"Gingivitis\"[Mesh]10:31:029005#15Search \"Toothbrushing\"[Mesh]10:30:354995
Comments on
The Evidence
The evidence is the highest in the hierarchy of evidence with over 2500 subjects in the study.
Applicability The patient who is diagnosed with gingivitis can use this information and with the use of a rotation oscillation powered toothbrush can have a decreased plaque index which will in turn help reduce the gingivitis. Practitioners can use this information to better control their patients’ oral hygiene.
Specialty/Discipline (General Dentistry) (Dental Hygiene)
Keywords Power toothbrushes, Toothbrushes, Gingivitis, Oral health, Plaque
ID# 468
Date of submission: 01/06/2010spacer
E-mail hogans@uthscsa.edu
Author Yasamin Yazhari
Co-author(s) Steven Hogan
Co-author(s) e-mail
Faculty mentor/Co-author
Faculty mentor/Co-author e-mail
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?)
post a rationale
None available
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Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs)
post a comment
by Matthew Simmons (San Antonio, TX) on 04/13/2012
A PubMed search on this topic was completed in March 2012. After performing the search I feel that this CAT is of the highest level of evidence. I would feel comfortable making the statement, use of a rotation oscillation powered toothbrush decreases plaque index more efficiently than use of a manual toothbrush, thereby making it more beneficial in decreasing gingivitis.
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