A clinical trial of the INTERPLAK powered toothbrush in a geriatric population.

This study was conducted to test the effectiveness of the counter-rotational powered toothbrush in a nursing home environment. A group of 60 nursing home patients were selected; each was assigned to a specific trained toothbrusher. Participants were divided into two groups stratified by gingival inflammation in a crossover-design clinical trial. Each individual used the powered brush for one 4-week period, and a manual or conventional brush for another 4-week period. A suitable period of nonintervention separated the two 4-week periods of intervention to allow plaque and gingival scores to revert to baseline. The participants were evaluated for plaque and gingivitis before and after each brushing period. The experimental brush reduced both plaque and gingivitis more effectively than the conventional brush. The mean reduction in plaque scores was 1.44 for the conventional brush, 1.92 for the powered brush (Quigley-Hein Plaque Index). The mean reduction in gingival inflammation scores was 0.47 for the conventional brush, and 0.77 for the experimental brush (Löe and Silness Gingival Index). Participants perceived the counter-rotational powered brush to be more effective, and at the exit interview overwhelmingly preferred to keep it rather than the conventional brush.