Plaque removing capacity of a novel high pressure water irrigator

PURPOSE: To evaluate the capacity of a novel oral water irrigator to remove established plaque deposits. METHODS: The study was designed as a randomized two-treatment, crossover, examiner-blinded clinical trial. The plaque removing capability of a prototype oral irrigator was compared to a conventional electric toothbrush. After 48 hours of plaque accumulation the 35 subjects were randomly assigned to professional plaque removal by either oral irrigation or by electric toothbrushing for a timed 2-minute total cleaning. Pre- and post cleaning plaque was disclosed and gingival abrasions were identified. Plaque was assessed on gingival and approximal surfaces of the oral and buccal sites according to the Rustogi et al modification of the Modified Navy Plaque Index. The assessment of gingival abrasions was performed according to the method introduced by Danser et al. RESULTS: The overall plaque removing capacity of the oral irrigator reached approximately 40.7 +/- 16.7% as compared to 71.6 +/- 11.5% by the electric toothbrush. Similar effects were observed for the gingival and approximal areas. The electric toothbrush caused significantly more gingival abrasions than the oral irrigator.