Evaluation of several brushing motion combinations in relation to plaque-removing efficacy with Oral-B CrossAction Power: a professional brushing study

Abstract:  Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional effect of a newly developed battery-operated brush Oral-B® CrossAction Power with a hybrid brush head design (CAPB). The brush combines an oscillating/rotating part, a PowerHead®, with a non-moving part with CrissCross® bristles. It was compared with a manual control toothbrush Butler® GUM 311 (CTB). Material and methods:  Thirty subjects were requested not to brush their teeth 48 h prior to the examination, when plaque removal efficacy was assessed by scoring plaque before and after brushing. Plaque was assessed according to the Silness & Loë Index at six sites per tooth. Subjects were brushed by a dentist using one of the four randomly chosen procedures of brushing in each quadrant. The CAPB was used with three different modes of brushing each in different randomly chosen quadrants, with the manual toothbrush being used in the remaining quadrant as a control. Results:  The baseline plaque levels ranged from 1.69 to 1.74 and the end levels ranged from 0.39 to 0.45. In terms of percentage, the results with the four procedures run from 75% to 79%. These differences between the battery brush and manual brush irrespective of the brushing mode used were not statistically significant. Conclusion:  The results of this Professional Brushing Study show that the CrossAction Power® toothbrush was as effective as a regular manual toothbrush.     

Plaque removal by worn toothbrush

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Assessment of the influence of toothbrush wear on plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) indexes. METHOD: 20 university students were recruited. PI and GI were recorded at the starting point (T0). Each subject received a toothbrush and toothpaste. 5 measurements of toothbrush were recorded to establish the initial size. The subjects were instructed to brush 3 x a day and to refrain from using other plaque removal aids. After 1 month (T1), the subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: group no. 1 substituted the toothbrush at each monthly visit; group no. 2 brushed only with the toothbrush provided at T0. Recalls were scheduled after 1 (T1), 2 (T2) and 3 months (T3). PI, GI and an index of wear (WI) were calculated using 5 measurements of the toothbrush head and were recorded at recalls. RESULTS: From T0 to T3, a significant increase of PI was found within both groups. Non-significant differences, but very close to the significant level (p= 0.063), in group no. 1 and significant differences in group no. 2 of GI were found. No significant differences of PI and GI were found between groups. Increase of the WI was registered from T0 to T3 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Each individual is capable of maintaining low PI, even if using a toothbrush that shows evidence of wear.     

Comparison of new and 3-month-old toothbrushes in plaque removal

OBJECTIVES: It is often recommended that manual toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 months. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of new and 3-month-old toothbrushes in the removal of dental plaque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single examiner blind, randomized study was performed in which 40 adult patients attended the clinic on two occasions following 48-h periods of no oral hygiene. Following plaque scoring, patients brushed with a new toothbrush at one visit and with a brush that they had used previously for 3 months at the other visit. Brushing time was 60 s. Plaque was then re-scored and percentage reductions in plaque scores calculated. The amount of wear of the 3-month-old brushes was determined by measurement of brushing surface areas. RESULTS: Plaque scores after each 48-h period of no oral hygiene were not significantly different. The percentage reductions in plaque scores achieved with the new brushes were not significantly different from those achieved with the 3-month-old brushes. Both the new and the 3-month-old toothbrushes reduced plaque scores by approximately 34%. Compared with new brushes in the same subjects, no significant differences were found for plaque score reductions for 3-month-old brushes with minor, moderate or marked wear. CONCLUSION: The 3-month-old toothbrushes were as effective as new brushes in plaque removal.     

Toothbrushing force in relation to plaque removal

Abstract This was a 2-part study. The purpose of the 1st part was to examine the relationship between brushing force and plaque removal efficacy comparing a regular manual toothbrush (M) with an electric toothbrush the Braun Oral-B Plak Control* (B). The study consisted of a single oral prophylaxis followed by 5 experiments which differed solely in respect to toothbrushing force. At baseline (after 24-h plaque accumulation), the amount of dental plaque was evaluated and subsequently, the subject's mouth was brushed by a dental hygienist. Brushing was carried out in a random split-mouth order. Either the 1st and 3rd quadrants or the 2nd and 4th quadrants were brushed with 1 toothbrush and the 2 remaining quadrants with the other. The available time for the brushing procedure was 2 min. After brushing, the amount of remaining dental plaque was assessed. The force used in experiment 1 through 5 was 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 g, respectively. The results show that when brushing force is increased, more plaque is removed with either of the two brushes. Except for the high brushing force (300 g), the electric toothbrush removed more plaque than the manual brush. The purpose of the 2nd part was to evaluate the habitual brushing force which individuals use with various toothbrushes. Besides a manual toothbrush (M), 3 electric toothbrushes were examined, the Rotadent® (R). Interplak® (I) and Braun® (B). 20 subjects were selected on the basis of being ‘good brushers” (plaque score at screening <25%). At baseline, each subject randomly received 1 of the 4 brushes. They were allowed a training period of 3 weeks at the end of which they were asked to abstain from brushing for at least 24 h. The plaque (Turesky modification of the Quigley & Hein) was scored, after which the subjects brushed their teeth (2 min) with the assigned toothbrush equipped with a strain gauge. A computer set–up measured (100 Hz) and calculated the mean brushing force. After brushing, the amount of remaining plaque was assessed. The design of the study was a 4-way cross-over. The results show that with a manual brush, considerably more force is used than with the electric brushes (R=96. 1 = 119. B= 146, M=273). No significant relation between brushing force and plaque removal was demonstrated for any of the brushes.     

Power toothbrushes: a critical review

Abstract:  Although the first toothbrush is thought to have been used in about 1000 ad , tooth brushing in America did not gain popularity until after 1945. The introduction of the powered toothbrush in 1960 has led to a large number of studies comparing the safety and efficacy of powered toothbrushes to manual toothbrushes. There is a general agreement that powered toothbrushes are as safe as manual toothbrushes; however, studies show significantly differing conclusions regarding the efficacy of power toothbrushes for the removal of plaque. The recent amendment of the Cochrane report on this subject concluded that the only type of powered toothbrush that removes more plaque than a manual toothbrush is one with rotational oscillation movement. Their conclusion was based on the review of 29 published studies, conducted between 1964 and 2001, with a total of 2547 participants. All these studies used similar research design criteria. The Cochrane conclusion is in agreement with a 1996 study carried out in the Netherlands. Many of the conflicting study conclusions, to date, on powered toothbrushes, are the result of using differing study design criteria. While the dental profession desires evidence-based research, it is clear that dental schools will need to increase the level of attention in their curriculum to address disciplined techniques for research design in order to reconcile the large variances in reported research results.     

The effectiveness of an electronic toothbrush in the removal of established plaque and treatment of gingivitis

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an electronic toothbrush on established plaque and gingivitis in a 5-month clinical trial. This electronic toothbrush sends approximately a 0.15 mA current through the brushhead which presumedly enhances the efficacy of the brush in plaque elimination. For this study, 80 volunteers (non-dental University students) were selected on the basis of having moderate gingival inflammation. At baseline, plaque and bleeding upon probing were assessed on the vestibular, mesio-vestibular, disto-vestibular and lingual surfaces using the “half-mouth” design. After 2-months and 5-months, these clinical indices were again recorded. At each assessment, the participants received a new brushhead. All baseline indices appeared to be well-balanced. A mean Silness and Löe plaque score of 1.70 and 1.64 were found in the control and test groups, respectively. Little change was observed from baseline to 5-months. The Quigley and Hein plaque index behaved comparably. The mean bleeding upon probing score at baseline was 1.43 and 1.39 for the control and test group, respectively. Little to no improvement was observed in the course of this study. No beneficial effect could be shown for this ‘electronic’ design of manual toothbrush.     

The plaque-removing efficacy of a finger brush (I-Brush)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to test the effectiveness of a finger toothbrush (I-Brush) in removing plaque compared with a flat-trimmed manual toothbrush. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this study, 37 subjects were selected, without previous experience of the use of the I-Brush. Each subject received a finger brush (I-Brush), a manual toothbrush (Butler GUM 311), two written brushing instructions for both types of brushes, and a brush calendar. Subjects were given a period of 3 weeks to become familiar with the two types of brushes. During this period, the subjects were instructed to use the two types of brushes on alternate days. The brush calendar helped as a reminder and served to ensure compliance. No instructions regarding brushing time or frequency of brushing were given to the subjects, except that they should conform to their usual oral habits. After 3 weeks, all subjects were asked to abstain from oral hygiene procedures for 48 h prior to the experiment. In this experiment, the amount of dental plaque was scored by a trained examiner. The examiner (N.A.M.R.) used the modified Silness & Loe (1964) plaque index at six sites per tooth. After scoring, each subject received a new finger brush and a new manual toothbrush. The subjects brushed according to a split mouth protocol. Two contra-lateral quadrants were chosen randomly and were brushed with one randomly chosen brush and the two opposing contra-lateral quadrants with the alternate brush. The brushing was performed under supervision in front of a mirror. The available time for brushing was 2 min. for the entire dentition. Finally, the remaining plaque was scored again. RESULTS: The overall reduction in plaque was 79% for the manual toothbrush and 62% for the finger brush. The plaque removing efficacy of the finger brush was poorest at the approximal vestibular surfaces (55% plaque reduction) compared with the manual toothbrush (77% plaque reduction). CONCLUSION: The plaque reduction of the finger brush is not an acceptable alternative to the use of a regular manual toothbrush.     

Approximal brush head used on a powered toothbrush

AIM: This study was designed to test whether the approximal efficacy of a powered toothbrush (Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover) can be improved when a pointed-shaped brush head (PBH) specifically designed for these approximal areas is used as compared with the standard cup-shaped brush head (CBH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty non-dental students were included. They all received the powered toothbrush and two different brush heads (CBH+PBH). Instructions were given to use each brush head twice every day (2 min. with the CBH followed by 1 min. with the PBH). Two weeks later they received an appointment for the first experiment (Exp 1), prior to which they abstained from all oral hygiene procedures for 48 h. Plaque was assessed at 6 sites/tooth. Next, the dental hygienist brushed for 2 min. (30 s/quadrant) with the CBH. Plaque was scored again. Subsequently, the dental hygienist brushed the approximal areas for another minute: in two randomly selected contra-lateral quadrants for 30 s with the CBH and in the opposing quadrants for 30 s with the PBH. The next approximal plaque was scored a third time. After 2-3 weeks, Exp 2 was carried out comparable to Exp 1; only this time the panelists brushed themselves. RESULTS: Exp 1 showed approximal plaque scores at the baseline of 1.70 and 1.72 and at post-brushing 0.21 and 0.26 for the CBH + PBH and CBH only, respectively (p<0.05). The additional increase in approximal plaque reduction after 30 s of brushing with PBH was 22% and for the CBH 19% (p<0.05). Exp 2 showed approximal plaque scores at baseline of 1.76 and 1.74 and post-brushing of 0.21 and 0.24 for the CBH+PBH and the CBH, respectively. The additional approximal plaque reduction of 30 s brushing with PBH was 19% and 18% with the CBH (no significant difference). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: An additional 1 min. showed minor differences (1-3%) between brush heads. The effect of the 1 min. extra brushing (+/-18%) itself was much larger. It seems therefore beneficial to advise the patient to brush longer. A second different brush head may stimulate to do so.     

Comparison of new and 3-month-old brush heads in the removal of plaque using a powered toothbrush

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of new and 3-month-old worn brush heads in plaque removal using a rotation-oscillation-powered toothbrush. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single examiner blinded, randomized, cross-over study was conducted in which 34 adults attended the clinic on two occasions following 48-h periods of no oral hygiene. Following plaque scoring, subjects brushed for 2 min. with either a new brush or a brush they had used for 3 months and plaque was then re-scored. Bristle wear was assessed by measuring brushing surface areas on digital images. RESULTS: The mean plaque score percentage reductions with new brush heads were not significantly different from those achieved with 3-month-old heads for total surfaces (new=38.1%; worn=37.1%; p=0.83) and approximal surfaces (new=31.3%; worn=30.8%; p=0.9). Brushing surface area increases of the 3-month-old heads ranged from 0% to 135% (mean 26.9%). Compared with new brush heads, no significant differences were found for plaque score reductions for heads with minor, moderate or marked wear. CONCLUSION: Rotation-oscillation-powered toothbrushes with 3-month-old brush heads exhibiting various degrees of wear were as effective as new brush heads in plaque removal. Bristle age and wear on a powered toothbrush may not impede the effectiveness of plaque removal.     

A clinical study to compare the efficacy of 2 electric toothbrushes in plaque removal

OBJECTIVES: To compare the cleaning efficacy of a powered toothbrush with 3-dimensional brush head action (Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover D15) and a high-speed "microtation" brush with an additional "microbrush-clip" (Rowenta Dentasonic MH921S). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 82 healthy subjects took part in the study. After a familiarization period of 8 days, the subjects abstained from all oral hygiene procedures for 48 h. After plaque was scored, the subjects brushed their teeth under supervision with the two brushes according to a split-mouth design. Immediately after brushing, subjects completed a questionnaire and plaque was scored again. RESULTS: The overall plaque scores were found to be significantly reduced from 3.05+/-0.60 to 1.96+/-0.63 by the D15 and from 3.02+/-0.58 to 2.24+/-0.64 by the Dentasonic (p<0.05). The proximal surface plaque scores were reduced from 3.20+/-0.63 to 2.17+/-0.69 by the D15 and from 3.17+/-0.60 to 2.44+/-0.69 by the Dentasonic. The relative plaque reduction was overall 36.6+/-12.2% for the D15 compared to 26.1+/-13.5% for the Dentasonic and at proximal surfaces, 33.1+/-12.3% and 23.2+/-13.0%, respectively. 75% of the subjects stated that they would prefer to keep the D15. CONCLUSIONS: Both brushes were able to remove a significant amount of plaque, but the D15 was significantly more effective compared to the Dentasonic. The additional "microbrush-clip" for the proximal embrasures failed to improve plaque removal from these tooth surfaces, compared to the D15 alone.     

Effect of toothbrush wear on plaque control

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of progressive toothbrush wear on plaque control. At baseline (week 0). each of 20 subjects was given a new toothbrush which they used for the 9-week period of the study. At weeks 0, 3 and 6, all plaque was professionally removed. The amount of plaque which accumulated in each of the 3 successive 3-week experimental periods was assessed at weeks 3, 6 and 9. Toothbrush wear was evaluated by measuring the increase in the brushing surface area of toothbrushes at weeks 3, 6 and 9 as compared with week 0. The brushing surface area was measured by computer analysis of tracings of the brushing surface outlines obtained from standardized photographs. Despite progressive toothbrush wear, the amount of plaque which accumulated in each successive 3-week period decreased. The decrease in plaque scores between weeks 3 and 6 and between weeks 3 and 9 were found to be highly significant (p<0.001). Toothbrush wear varied widely amongst the subjects. When plaque scores were evaluated for the 10 subjects with highest toothbrush wear and the 10 with lowest wear, no significant differences were found between the 2 subgroups. Under the experimental conditions of this study, progressive toothbrush wear did not lead lo a decrease in plaque control. The improvement in plaque scores may have been due lo motivational effects resulting from study participation and anticipation of oral examinations. It was concluded that the wear status of a toothbrush may not be critical in ensuring optimal plaque control.     

Relative effectiveness of a rotary and conventional toothbrush in plaque removal

Abstract The ability of a powered rotary toothbrush to remove 3- and 4-day-old microbial plaque deposits was evaluated in 10 young adults with healthy gingivae. Using a split mouth technique and a cross-over experimental design, the powered brush was compared with a conventional hand brush over a 14-day period. Statistical analysis of the results showed no significant differences between either method of brushing when the whole mouth, maxillary or mandibular arches were compared. Further analysis of the proximal scores again showed no significant differences between the powered brush or handbrush. The majority of the subjects preferred the conventional handbrush to the powered brush.     

A comparison of the plaque removal efficacy of two power toothbrushes: Oral-b Professional Care Series versus Sonicare Elite

AIM: To compare the safety and plaque removal efficacy of an oscillating/ pulsating toothbrush (Professional Care Series, Oral-B Laboratories; PCS) and a high frequency toothbrush (Sonicare Elite, Philips Oral Healthcare; SE). METHODS: The study had a randomised, examiner-blind, crossover design. Sixty-one subjects aged 19-64 years were enrolled. After 23-25 hours of no oral hygiene, subjects received an oral tissue examination and those with pre-brushing whole mouth mean plaque scores > or = 0.60 measured by the Rustogi modified Navy Plaque Index were randomly assigned to treatment sequence. Subjects brushed with their assigned toothbrush for 2 minutes using a commercially available dentifrice. Oral tissues were then re-examined and post-brushing plaque scores recorded. After a brief washout period, the above procedures were repeated with the alternate toothbrush. One examiner blinded to the treatment sequence performed all clinical measurements. RESULTS: All 61 subjects completed the study. Both toothbrushes significantly reduced plaque levels after a single brushing (t-test, p < 0.0001). However, the PCS was significantly more effective than the SE in whole mouth plaque removal and in reducing plaque from marginal, buccal, lingual and approximal surfaces (ANOVA, p < 0.0001). Whole mouth plaque was reduced by 88% versus 61% and approximal plaque by 97% versus 73% for the PCS and SE toothbrushes, respectively. There was no evidence of hard or soft tissue trauma after a single-use of either toothbrush. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this single-use clinical evaluation, the action of the oscillating/ pulsating power toothbrush is more effective at plaque removal than a high frequency power toothbrush.     

Plaque removal characteristics of electric toothbrushes using an in vitro plaque model

BACKGROUND/AIM: The purpose of the study was to investigate and quantify the efficacy of plaque removal by commercially available electric toothbrushes using an in vitro system based on artificial plaque grown on glass slides. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Artificial plaque based on Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans was cultured in a series of phosphate buffer solution, sucrose solution and brain heart infusion on sterile glass slides, for a period of 5 weeks. 7 different electric toothbrushes of current designs were operated in contact with the glass slides under loads of 1 or 2N for 10 s after which image analysis of the brushed slides was undertaken to calculate the absolute and relative areas of removal. RESULTS: The electric toothbrushes showed a larger area of plaque removal as loading force increased from 1 to 2N. The area of biofilm removed also depended on the head design and ranged from 258 mm(2) (1N, Interplak) and 314 mm(2) (2N, Interplak), to 30 mm(2) (1N, Braun 3D), and 148 mm(2) (2N, Blend-a-Dent). The area of biofilm removal was significantly different among all electric toothbrushes at p<0.01 (ANOVA). All electric toothbrushes removed more biofilm than the actual contacting tufted area of the head. CONCLUSION: The artificial plaque model system under different loading conditions showed differences in the absolute area of removal per electric toothbrush and also differences in the relative removal per unit contact bristle area. These differences on operating variables should be considered when evaluating new electric toothbrushes.     

Plaque removal with the uninstructed use of electric toothbrushes: comparison with a manual brush and toothpaste slurry

BACKGROUND: Individuals purchasing electric toothbrushes for the 1st time will mostly only have the manufacturer's instructional leaflet for information of usage. AIMS: This study was designed to simulate the 1st-time purchase and early use of an electric toothbrush with the aim of comparing plaque removal with a manual toothbrush. Secondary aims were to assess chemical plaque removal effects of a toothpaste slurry and to compare between 2 electric brushes which differed only in head speed. METHODS: A group of 16 dentate subjects participated in this single-examiner blind, randomised, crossover design balanced for residual effects. Subjects had "average" oral hygiene and had never used an electric toothbrush previously. 7 days prior to the study, all subjects received the slower oscillating rotating toothbrush under test to use at home as they wished. The test treatments were brushing with 2 oscillating rotating electric toothbrushes, a manual toothbrush and a rinse with a toothpaste slurry (3 g/10 ml water). On day 1 of each study period, subjects were rendered plaque-free, suspended oral hygiene and returned on day 5. Plaque was scored at baseline by index and area and after 30 s, 30 s (total 60 s) and 60 s (total 120 s) of the cleaning treatments. Washout periods were at least 2 1/2 days. RESULTS: Highly significant treatment differences were found between the 4 treatments because the toothpaste slurry was totally without effect. Analyses between the 3 brush treatments overall revealed no consistent significant differences. The data suggest that in the early days of electric toothbrush use, subjects perform no better than using a manual brush. CONCLUSIONS: The present study, taken with results from others showing greater benefits from the use of electric brushes, supports the idea that dental professionals should, where possible, provide advice and instruction in the use of such devices.     

Gingival abrasion and plaque removal with manual versus electric toothbrushing

A clinical trial was designed to test the relative numbers of gingival lesions caused during standardized brushing of the teeth of 22 volunteer dental nurse students with a manual soft multitufted, a manual soft V-shaped, and an electric toothbrush. First, the left or the right side of the jaws of each subject was brushed by a dental hygienist using the manual V-shaped or the electric brush, and the other side using the manual multitufted brush. At the 2nd brushing 1 week later, the same hygienist used the multitufted brush for brushing the side contralateral to the one in which it was used the 1st week and the V-shaped manual brush instead of the electric and vice versa. After each brushing, the number of new gingival lesions was recorded and the cleansing effect evaluated by assessment of the amount of remaining plaque. This examiner was unaware of the type of brush used. The V-shaped manual toothbrush was found to have caused more gingival abrasion than the electric toothbrush (P less than 0.005) and a similar difference was found between the multitufted manual and the electric toothbrush (P less than 0.05). There was no clinically significant difference between the plaque removing effects of the 3 brushes tested.     

Relationship between the plaque removal efficacy of a manual toothbrush and brushing force

Abstract. This survey investigated the association between the efficacy of plaque removal and toothbrushing forces during a normal brushing regime. The 94 subjects participating in this study were requested not to brush 24 h prior to the experiment. Panellists brushed for 1 min with a manual toothbrush. Before and after brushing, plaque was assessed using the Turesky modification of the Quigley & Hein plaque index. A second 1-min exercise of brushing was carried out to assess the toothbrushing force. The mean plaque reduction was 39%, with vestibular surfaces being cleaned most effective (69%) and the lingual surfaces the least (21%). The mean brushing force was 330 g. No correlation was observed between efficacy and brushing force ( r =0.14, p =0.16). The relationship between pre- and post-brushing plaque was stronger ( r =0.68, p <0.001). Multiple regression analysis entering squared values of force as an independent variable into the equation, indicated that the relation between efficacy and force was not linear. A curve could be fitted to the plot (p=0.0004), demonstrating that up to a certain level of force, an increase of force is associated with an increase in efficacy ( r =0.33, p <0.01). Beyond this point, application of higher forces resulted in reduced efficacy ( r =-0.49, p =0.03). As was calculated in this particular test this'transition'level of force was 407.4 g. The absence of a correlation between brushing force and plaque removal efficacy suggests that in a'user model'brushing situation, other factors than brushing force are of major influence on the amount of plaque removed.     

Comparison of 2 electric toothbrushes in plaque-removing ability Professional and supervised brushing

Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to compare the Braun Plak Control® (D7) and Philips HP 500® (MM) in their plaque removing efficacy. Furthermore the brushing force applied by the panellist on the brush-head with both these brushes was evaluated. For this study, 35 university students (non-dental) were selected. The study consisted of 3 experiments. Prior to each experiment, all subjects were asked to abstain from all oral hygiene procedures for at least 48 h. In Exp. I, the efficacy of toothbrushing was studied when one of the investigators brushed the teeth of the panellists. In Exp. II, the efficacy of the brushing was studied after the students had received a professional instruction. In Exp. III, the brushing force used during a single brushing exercise was evaluated. The available time for the brushing amounted to a total of 2 min per mouth. Dental plaque was evaluated by means of the Silness and Löe and Quigley and Hein plaque indices assessed at 6 sites per tooth. Results showed that both in Exp. I and Exp. II, the D7 removed significantly more plaque than the MM electric toothbrush. The plaque reduction assessed according to Silness and Löe in Exp. I was for the D7, 1.07 and for the MM, 0.78. In Exp. II, the reduction was 1.08 and 0.88, respectively. The results of Exp. III show that the mean brushing force was comparable for both brushes (D7=I73 g, MM=I75 g). All 35 subjects were allowed to choose one electric toothbrush as compensation for their participation. The majority (n=26) of subjects preferred the D7 to the MM. In conclusion, the results of the present study show that given a choice, there was a preference of the panellists for the D7. No difference in brushing force was observed between the 2 brushes. Evaluation of plaque removing efficacy showed that the Braun Plak Control® is more effective than the Philips HP 500®.