Comparison of the clinical effectiveness of a single and a double headed toothbrush

Abstract

A 3-way, blind, cross-over study was done to compare the plaque removing effects of a double headed toothbrush with a popular single headed flat toothbrush in 39 patients instructed in specific oral hygiene techniques. Both brushes were used with the modified Bass technique for 1 week each, whilst for an additional consecutive week, the single headed brush was used with the modified Bass and roll techniques combined. The results of this study indicated that, lingually, the double headed brush was superior to the flat single headed brush, whilst buccally no difference was found. With single headed toothbrushes the combined toothbrushing action of the modified Bass and roll techniques was less efficient than the modified Bass technique alone in the removal of dental plaque.