Effect of interdental brush design on plaque during nonsurgical periodontal therapy

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the interproximal cleaning efficacy of waist-shaped compared with straight soft interdental brushes in patients undergoing nonsurgical periodontal therapy.

Ten patients diagnosed with periodontitis stage II or III were scheduled for nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Baseline plaque control record (PCR), modified approximal plaque index (API), papillary bleeding index (PBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were evaluated. Four interdental spaces of equal sizes were determined, and baseline plaque indices (PI) were assessed on eight surfaces of the respective adjacent teeth, resulting in 640 measuring positions. Interdental brushes with a straight or waist-shaped design were randomly allocated to the right or left side, and patients received oral hygiene instructions. Follow-up measurements including PCR, API, PBI, and site-specific PI were performed during initial nonsurgical periodontal therapy sessions and reevaluation which was undertaken 8 weeks afterwards.

PPD (waist-shaped, baseline 4 mm (range, 2–9 mm) vs. reevaluation 3 mm (range, 1–6 mm); p < 0.001; straight, baseline 4 mm (range, 2–10) vs. reevaluation 3 mm (range, 1–6) mm; p < 0.001) and BOP (p = 0.008) showed significant reduction in both groups. Sub-analysis of site-specific areas including line angles and interproximal areas revealed no significant reduction of plaque during the observation period between both brush designs. No difference between straight and waist-shaped brushes regarding PPD or BOP decrease was found.

The efficacy of both interdental brush designs concerning plaque control in patients undergoing nonsurgical periodontal therapy was similar.

The use of interdental brushes is essential for biofilm removal in patients during initial periodontal therapy, regardless of brush design.

ISRCTNregistry (#ISRCTN24498365), http://​www.​isrctn.​com/​ISRCTN24498365