Replicate single-use comparative study of plaque removal with two contemporary manual toothbrushes.

PURPOSE: To compare the plaque removing efficacy of Oral-B Advantage 123 and Colgate 360 degrees manual toothbrushes on a single brushing after a 24-hour void in oral hygiene.

METHODS: This study had a two-treatment (Advantage 123 versus Colgate 360 degrees), examiner-blind, randomized, four-period (visit) crossover design. At the first (baseline) visit, subjects received a plaque examination using the Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI) after which they were instructed to brush for 1 minute in their normal manner with their assigned toothbrush and a marketed dentifrice and unaided by access to a mirror. Post-brushing plaque was then assessed. At three further visits, each separated by a period of 3-8 days, brushes were assigned to subjects according to their treatment sequence and the same brushing and plaque grading procedure as at baseline was followed.

RESULTS: 50 subjects were enrolled in the replicate single-use study; all were included in the analysis. Oral-B Advantage 123 was significantly better than Colgate 360 degrees at reducing whole mouth (P = 0.006), gingival margin (P = 0.010) and approximal (P = 0.040) plaque scores.