In this study, all subjects will be given an electric toothbrush. Half of the participants will be instructed on how to use the Sulcular Bristle Tip Technique (SBTT). The other half of participants will be asked to follow the brushing instructions in the user manual. The study's primary aim is to compare the use of the SBTT with an electric toothbrush in reducing bleeding on probing with the use of an electric toothbrush used without personal professional instruction.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
25
Tooth brushing should begin on the distal of the most posterior tooth on one side of the mouth and proceed anteriorly and then posteriorly overlapping areas to the most distal surface of the most posterior tooth on the contra lateral side. The lingual is done in like fashion ending where the brushing began. The opposing arch is brushed in the same manner. When moving from one area to the next, disengage the brush bristles entirely off the teeth to allow them to straighten, and then reposition the brush in the next overlapping area. Do not to drag the bristle tips from one area to the next area. For the lingual of the anterior teeth, the narrow portion of the brush is used with the exact same technique as described above. For the lingual of the mandibular molars, the angulation of the toothbrush bristles to the tooth needs to be somewhat more perpendicular to the tooth than on the buccal to ensure that the bristle tips enter the gingival crevice.
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Change in bleeding on probing (BOP)
To compare the use of the SBTT with an electric toothbrush in reducing BOP with the use of an electric toothbrush used without personal professional instruction.
Time frame: Baseline through study completion, an average of 4 months
Effectiveness of professional cleaning
To compare whether a dental professional's (DP) cleaning a subject's teeth using an electric toothbrush with the SBTT is more effective in removing cervical plaque than the patient self-cleaning using electric toothbrush with the SBTT at the initial visit and after four months
Time frame: Baseline and 4 months
Change in plaque
To compare the plaque removal of each subject at the initial visit with their plaque removal after four months of using the SBTT. To compare the plaque removal of the DP at the initial visit with the DP's plaque removal at the fourth month visit.
Time frame: Baseline and 4 months
Evaluating deformation of toothbrush bristles
To compare the deformation of toothbrush bristles when used by patients using the SBTT with an electric toothbrush with the deformation of the toothbrush bristles with patients using an electric toothbrush uninstructed and whether the deformation is associated with BoP in each group.
Time frame: Baseline through study completion, an average of 4 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.