PubMed · 1993 · 10 citations · 0 references
DentistryOral Health SciencesPeriodonticsEvidence-based Dental HygieneMinimally Invasive DentistryPeriodontal Research MethodsOral CareOral Health Outcomes ResearchOral HygienePlaque ControlBrushingLong-term EffectivenessManual Toothbrush UsePlaque Control EvaluationPlaque IndicesPlaque Removal EffectivenessTooth Brushing TechniqueToothbrush Efficacy
Thirty clinical recall patients from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry participated in a 4-week study to determine the long-term effectiveness of the INTERPLAK Home Plaque-Removal Instrument compared to manual brushing and flossing. Patients were divided into two groups, with each group using the INTERPLAK device for 2 months and the manual brush for 2 months. Patients were assessed according to measured indices for plaque, bleeding, crevice depth, and calculus. The study found that both kinds of brushes significantly reduced plaque, bleeding, and crevice depth; however, only the INTERPLAK brush reduced calculus. Improvements on all indices were greater for the INTERPLAK device than they were for manual brushing and flossing. At the end of the 4 months, most patients indicated that they would continue to use the INTERPLAK device.