Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies comparing oscillating-rotating and other powered toothbrushes.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to systematically review and analyze the difference in efficacy of oscillating-rotating toothbrushes compared with other powered toothbrushes.

METHODS

The authors performed a systematic search of the literature according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The authors used the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome format to develop a search strategy to answer the study question. The authors searched PubMed-MEDLINE databases. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled clinical trials comparing oscillating-rotating (OR) toothbrushes with other powered toothbrushes published from January 1, 2009 through March 1, 2019.

RESULTS

The authors' search resulted in 454 articles; 21 articles were downloaded for review, 15 articles were included in the report, and 12 could be used for meta-analysis. All of the studies were randomized controlled clinical trials that assessed plaque removal and gingival inflammation indexes. Results of the meta-analysis of the randomized controlled clinical trials showed that OR toothbrushes had superior, statistically significant outcomes for whole-mouth plaque reduction, assessed using the Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index (P < .01), and gingivitis, assessed by using number of bleeding sites (P < .001), but not for the modified gingival index (P > .05) or gingival bleeding index (P > .05).

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

There is some evidence to suggest that OR powered toothbrushes might remove more plaque and reduce the number of bleedings sites better than other powered toothbrushes, specifically, sonic action toothbrushes.