Comparison between manual vs electric powered toothbrush by using the PCR index in paediatric dentistry

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ABSTRACT

Aim

This present study has two primary objectives: firstly, to compare the effectiveness of an electric toothbrush versus a manual toothbrush in biofilm removal; secondarily, to assess the effectiveness of individualised instructions provided by the operator.

Material and methods

Fifty-five paediatric patients were enrolled in the study. Data collection involved three main steps: 1) Pre-brushing PCR index collection; 2) Post-brushing PCR index collection; 3) Post-brushing PCR index collection after providing individual instructions. The tooth surfaces were colored with a liquid plaque detector. To assess whether there was a statistically significant difference in plaque values before and after brushing, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted. The Wilcoxon test with continuity correction was performed to compare the two brushing methods.

Results

Comparing Index_0 and Index_2, for “Index_0,” the mean plaque value was 74.1%, while the mean was slightly lower, at 71.6%, with a standard deviation of 0.190. For “Index_2,” the mean plaque value was 25.9%, with a mean of 27.4%, and a standard deviation of 0.123. Regarding the comparison between manual and electric methods, in the Index_1 Group, the “MANUAL” method appeared less effective than “ELECTRIC,” while in the Index_2 Group, both methods produced similar results.

Conclusion

It is possible to confirm a correlation between instructions provided by the operator and lower plaque index. As regards the comparison between manual and electric toothbrush, in our study one tool did not emerge as more effective than the other.

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