Objectives: 47 subjects (18-65 years) were recruited to a single blind, 3-group, parallel clinical trial to assess the effect of 3 brushing times (30s, 60s, 120s) upon the plaque removal efficacy of the Sonicare® powered toothbrush (PTB). Methods: Plaque removal was recorded on 3 occasions (baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks) using the Turesky modification of the Quigley & Hein index (PI). Subjects were randomly allocated to one brushing time and provided with an unmodified Sonicare PTB and issued standardised brushing instructions. Subjects were then asked to allow 12-18 hours plaque accumulation prior to each brushing episode. Pre- and post-brushing PIs were recorded to allow the mean and percent reduction in PI to be calculated for each subject. Results: 5 subjects dropped out after baseline for reasons unrelated to the trial. The numbers of subjects in each brushing time group were: 30s – 15; 60s – 13; 120s – 14. Group mean(sd) pre-brushing PIs for all sites (FM) at 4 weeks were: 30s – 2.35(0.4); 60s – 2.34(0.5); 120s – 2.14(0.6). Mean FM reductions in PI, pre- to post-brushing, for this visit were: 30s – 0.74; 60s – 0.73; 120s – 0.91. The mean subject reduction in PI for each group was compared by fitting an ANCOVA model and examination of parameter estimates. The analysis indicated no difference between the PI reduction for the 30s and 60s groups. A difference between the 120s and other two groups was shown to be highly significant p<0.001. Conclusion: This study suggests the subjects who brush for 120s with the Sonicare® PTB tended to remove more plaque than those who brushed for shorter times. Supported by Philips Oral HealthCare,Inc.

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