An Evaluation of a New Ultrasonic Water Irrigator in the Management of Gingival Health: A Randomised Study

TY - JOUR

T1 - An Evaluation of a New Ultrasonic Water Irrigator in the Management of Gingival Health

T2 - A Randomised Study

AU - Bissett, Susan M.

AU - Gulakova, Polina

AU - Unbereit, Katrin

AU - Seymour, Robin A.

AU - Preshaw, Philip M.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). International Journal of Dental Hygiene published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2024/11/29

Y1 - 2024/11/29

N2 - Introduction: This randomised, single-blind, controlled study aimed to compare daily adjunctive use of an ultrasonic water irrigation device to dental floss in controlling plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis. Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to either daily use of an ultrasonic water irrigator or dental floss as an adjunct to manual toothbrushing for 4 weeks, with periodontal assessment repeated at 1 and 4 weeks after baseline (Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index [PI], Loe and Silness Gingival Index [GI] and bleeding on marginal probing [BOMP]). Results: Sixty-two participants completed the investigation. Statistically significant reductions in total and marginal PI at Weeks 1 and 4 were noted in both groups compared to baseline (p < 0.05) with no significant differences between groups. BOMP and GI scores were likewise significantly reduced in both groups at Weeks 1 and 4 compared to baseline (p < 0.01). However, at Week 4, those using the ultrasonic water irrigator showed a significantly greater reduction in GI scores when compared to the floss group (−0.35 ± 0.26 vs. −0.16 ± 0.25, respectively, p < 0.01) and a significantly greater reduction in BOMP scores when compared to floss (−0.26 ± 0.12 vs. −0.15 ± 0.15, respectively, p < 0.01). Those using the ultrasonic water irrigator also reported easier usage scores (p < 0.05) when compared to the floss group. Conclusion: Daily use of the ultrasonic water irrigator resulted in significantly greater reductions in gingival inflammation (gingival index and BOMP) than dental floss after 4 weeks, whereas plaque removal was similarly effective using the irrigator or floss.

AB - Introduction: This randomised, single-blind, controlled study aimed to compare daily adjunctive use of an ultrasonic water irrigation device to dental floss in controlling plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis. Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to either daily use of an ultrasonic water irrigator or dental floss as an adjunct to manual toothbrushing for 4 weeks, with periodontal assessment repeated at 1 and 4 weeks after baseline (Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index [PI], Loe and Silness Gingival Index [GI] and bleeding on marginal probing [BOMP]). Results: Sixty-two participants completed the investigation. Statistically significant reductions in total and marginal PI at Weeks 1 and 4 were noted in both groups compared to baseline (p < 0.05) with no significant differences between groups. BOMP and GI scores were likewise significantly reduced in both groups at Weeks 1 and 4 compared to baseline (p < 0.01). However, at Week 4, those using the ultrasonic water irrigator showed a significantly greater reduction in GI scores when compared to the floss group (−0.35 ± 0.26 vs. −0.16 ± 0.25, respectively, p < 0.01) and a significantly greater reduction in BOMP scores when compared to floss (−0.26 ± 0.12 vs. −0.15 ± 0.15, respectively, p < 0.01). Those using the ultrasonic water irrigator also reported easier usage scores (p < 0.05) when compared to the floss group. Conclusion: Daily use of the ultrasonic water irrigator resulted in significantly greater reductions in gingival inflammation (gingival index and BOMP) than dental floss after 4 weeks, whereas plaque removal was similarly effective using the irrigator or floss.

KW - dental devices—Home care

KW - dental floss

KW - dental plaque

KW - gingival inflammation

KW - gingivitis

KW - water irrigation

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85210761789

U2 - 10.1111/idh.12883

DO - 10.1111/idh.12883

M3 - Article

C2 - 39612247

AN - SCOPUS:85210761789

SN - 1601-5029

JO - International Journal of Dental Hygiene

JF - International Journal of Dental Hygiene

ER -