The short-term effects of manual and interactive powered toothbrushes on the periodontal status of orthodontic patients: A randomized clinical trial

• Published in: Journal of the world federation of orthodontists 2021-03, Vol.10 (1), p.14-19
• Main Authors: Bilen, Yılmaz Zafer, Çokakoğlu, Serpil, Öztürk, Fırat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dentistry; Interactive powered toothbrush; Orthodontic treatment; Periodontal status
• ISSN: 2212-4438; 2212-4438
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejwf.2020.11.003

To compare the effects of manual and interactive powered toothbrushes on periodontal status of patients during fixed orthodontic treatment. Thirty-six patients aged 12 to 18 years were included in this parallel design randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: manual toothbrushes (MT group) and interactive powered toothbrushes (PT group). The plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing (BOP) scores were obtained before brushing (T0), 4 weeks (T1), 2 months (T2), and 4 months (T3) after brushing initiation. Periodontal measurements were performed by the same researcher that blinded to the groups’ randomization. Data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests for the comparison of parameters between groups and times. Significant differences were found in PI values at all time intervals (P < 0.001), with one exception (T2-T3 in the MT group). The GI changes between timepoints were parallel to the BOP findings of the PT group. Both groups had significantly lower bleeding scores in both T0-T2 and T0-T3 time intervals (P < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in the bleeding score of PT group between T1-T3 time interval (P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences between the groups at any timepoint. PI and GI scores were statistically decreased in the PT group compared with the MT group from baseline to 4 months (P < 0.05). All periodontal parameters decreased during the 4-month study period. The interactive powered toothbrushes may be an alternative to manual toothbrushes in terms of maintenance of periodontal health during fixed orthodontic treatment.