Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Craniofacial Deformity, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea.
BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea.
Sci Rep. 2024 May 27;14(1):12126. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-60753-9.
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of microcurrent-emitting toothbrushes (MCTs) and ordinary toothbrushes in reducing the dental plaque index (PI) and dental caries activity among orthodontic patients. The evaluation was performed using a crossover study design involving 22 orthodontic patients randomly assigned to the MCT or ordinary toothbrush groups. The participants used the designated toothbrush for 4 weeks and had a 1-week wash-out time before crossover to the other toothbrush. PI (Attin's index) and dental caries activity were measured at baseline and at the end of each 4-week period. Additionally, patients completed questionnaires to assess patient satisfaction for "freshness in mouth" and "cleansing degree." The results showed that the MCT group had a significant reduction in PI (p = 0.009), whereas the ordinary toothbrush group did not (p = 0.595). There was no significant difference in the dental caries activity between the two groups (p > 0.05). Patient satisfaction assessment revealed that 65% patients in the MCT group had more than "fair" experience of freshness, in contrast to 50% of patients in the ordinary toothbrush group. Satisfaction with cleansing degree was similar in both groups. Overall, these findings suggest that MCTs are more effective in reducing dental PI than ordinary toothbrushes.
本研究旨在比较微电流牙刷（MCT）和普通牙刷在减少正畸患者牙菌斑指数（PI）和龋齿活动度方面的效果。采用交叉研究设计，将 22 名正畸患者随机分为 MCT 组或普通牙刷组。参与者使用指定的牙刷 4 周，然后在交叉使用另一种牙刷前有 1 周的洗脱期。在基线和每个 4 周结束时测量 PI（Attin 指数）和龋齿活动度。此外，患者完成了评估“口气清新度”和“清洁度”的满意度问卷。结果显示，MCT 组的 PI 显著降低（p=0.009），而普通牙刷组则没有（p=0.595）。两组之间的龋齿活动度没有显著差异（p＞0.05）。患者满意度评估显示，MCT 组 65%的患者对清新度的体验超过“尚可”，而普通牙刷组只有 50%。两组对清洁度的满意度相似。总体而言，这些发现表明 MCT 在减少牙菌斑方面比普通牙刷更有效。
