Clinical Efficacy and Patients' Acceptance of a Rubber Interdental Bristle. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

Journal Clin Oral Investig

Specialty Dentistry

Date 2014 Jan 11

PMID 24407549

Citations 7

Authors

Thaer Abouassi

Johan P Woelber

Kristina Holst

Susanne Stampf

Christoph E Doerfer

Elmar Hellwig

Petra Ratka-Kruger

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: Interdental cleaning is an essential component of home plaque control to prevent periodontitis and caries. There is limited data on the efficacy of commonly used metal-core interdental brushes in comparison to metal-free interdental brushes. The aim of this study was to compare a new rubber interdental bristle (Fuchs®) with a standard metal-core interdental brush (TePe®) for their impact upon gingival bleeding, plaque removal, and patient experience.

Materials And Methods: A single-blind, prospective, randomized, and controlled clinical trial with a crossover design was used to measure plaque index (Turesky-Modified Quigley & Hein Index), bleeding index (Eastman Interdental Bleeding Index by Caton & Polson), and patient satisfaction by means of questionnaires in 39 patients. Each patient was randomly assigned with regard to the sequence of interdental product used and recalled.

Results: Both groups showed statistically significant decreases of plaque after a single usage, respectively. Bleeding was statistically significantly reduced after 4 weeks, with no statistically significant differences concerning between the two tested interdental brushes. Rubber interdental bristles reached significantly higher scores with regard to patient acceptance in overall assessment and in sub-items for less pain during usage, comfort of brushing, and willingness to buy the product.

Conclusion: Rubber interdental bristles were similarly effective compared to the interdental brushes. In addition, rubber interdental bristles were significantly more comfortable for participants than metal-core brushes.

Clinical Relevance: Rubber interdental bristles can be used as an alternative interdental cleaning product which may be more accepted by patients.

Citing Articles

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New design of interdental rubber picks - does the archimedean screw design bring an improvement for experimental cleaning efficacy and force?.

Hardter A, Nordloh A, Cyris M, Strassburger M, Rinder T, Dorfer C BMC Oral Health. 2024; 24(1):404.

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The influence of artificial saliva on the cleaning force of interdental rubber picks: an in-vitro comparison.

Graetz C, Hardter A, Schorr S, Cyris M, Geiken A, Rinder T BMC Oral Health. 2022; 22(1):459.

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Graetz C, Schoepke K, Rabe J, Schorr S, Geiken A, Christofzik D BMC Oral Health. 2021; 21(1):194.

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The efficacy of a rubber bristles interdental cleaner on parameters of oral soft tissue health-a systematic review.

Van der Weijden F, Slot D, van der Sluijs E, Hennequin-Hoenderdos N Int J Dent Hyg. 2021; 20(1):26-39.

PMID: 33630360 PMC: 9292806. DOI: 10.1111/idh.12492.

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