RESUMEN
ABSTRACT The aim of the present examiner-blind randomized controlled clinical study was to compare the efficacy two soft-bristle toothbrushes in terms of plaque removal. Seventy volunteers were randomly allocated to Group A (tapered-tip toothbrush) or Group B (end-rounded toothbrush). At baseline appointment (Day 0), volunteers underwent plaque examination using the Improved Plaque Identification Index. Under supervision, they brushed their teeth for 1 minute with their assigned toothbrushes and the plaque examination was repeated. Volunteers continued the oral hygiene regimen (assigned toothbrush and a regular dentifrice provided by the researchers) for 7 days. The experimental procedures of Day 0 were then repeated. Separate statistical analyses were performed for mean percent reduction of plaque in the whole-mouth, interproximal and gumline scores at both times, usingMann-Whitney test, p<0.05. After a single toothbrushing, on Day 0, mean percent plaque was significantly reduced in both groups (p<0.05), with statistically greater reductions of whole-mouth (21.39±12.44 vs. 11.40±11.17), gumline (6.32±7.37 vs. 2.89±4.57) and interproximal (10.82±10.49 vs. 5.21±7.68) for Group A as compared to Group B. However, on day 7, no significant difference was observed between groups for whole-mouth (29.94±20.91 vs. 26.58±18.64), gymline (14.04±18.82 vs. 13.78±17.63) and interproximal surfaces (26.41±22.77vs. 23.12±20.98) (p>0.05). In conclusion, on Day 0, Group A presented higher efficacy in supragingival plaque removal than Group B, as reflected by whole-mouth, gumline and interproximal plaque scores.
RESUMO O objetivo desse ensaio clínico, examinador-cego, randomizado e controle foi de comparadas a eficácia de duas escovas de cerdas macias em relagäo ao controle de placa. Setenta vo-luntários foram randomicamente alocados para Grupo A (es-cova com ponta cónica) ou Grupo B (escova com ponta arredondada). Na consulta inicial (dia 0), voluntarios receberam exame de placa utilizando o Índice de identificagäo de placa melhorado. Sob supervisäo, eles escovaram seus dentes por 1 minuto com as escovas designadas e o exame de placa foi repetido. Voluntarios continuaram seu regime de higiene oral (escova dental alocada e dentifrício comum fornecidos pelos pesquisadores) durante 7 dias. Os procedimentos da consulta inicial foram novamente repetidos. Análises estatísticas distintas foram realizadas para percentual de redugäo média de placa para os escores de boca toda, interproximal e linha gengi-val em ambos os momentos, utilizando teste de Mann-Whitney, p<0,05. Após único uso da escova, no dia 0, o percentual de redugäo média de placa foi significativamente reduzido em ambos os grupos (p<0,05), com reduções significativas para boca toda (21,39±12,44 vs. 11,40±11,17), linha gengival (6,32±7,37 vs. 2,89±4,57) e interproximal (10,82±10,49 vs. 5,21±7,68) no Grupo A quando comparada com o Grupo B. Entretanto, no dia 7, nenhuma diferenga significativa foi observada entre os grupos para boca toda (29,94±20,91 vs. 26,58±18,64), linha gengival (14,04±18,82 vs. 13,78±17,63) e interproximal (26,41±22,77 vs. 23,12±20,98) (p>0,05). Em conclusäo, no dia 0, a escova do Grupo A apresentou eficácia superior na remo-gäo de placa suprageng ival quando comparada com a escova do Grupo B, como demonstrado nos escores de placa de boca toda, linha gengival e interproximal.