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Using an Evidence-based Approach to Making Patient Recommendations for Power Toothbrushes

Course Number: 648

Specific Power Toothbrush Recommendations

Which specific type of power toothbrush is the best fit for a particular patient? Ultimately, the recommendation should be based on clinical effectiveness in plaque, gingivitis, stain, and calculus control and safety, with allowances for patient preference. Dental professionals should consider the breadth of clinical research support, as well as assessments of systematic reviews of independent association such as the Cochrane Collaboration. Power toothbrushes historically have out-performed manual brushes in reducing both plaque and gingivitis.13 Certain patient populations are more at risk of gingivitis and need to maintain better plaque control in environments that may have added challenges, such as orthodontics or implants.