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Table 1 Cleaning efficacy using A. horizontal, B. rotating and C. vertical toothbrush movements

From: Robot and mechanical testing of a specialist manual toothbrush for cleaning efficacy and improved force control

A. Horizontal brushing movement

Toothbrush type Mean total % plaque removal ± SD

ComPro 69.4 ± 2.5

TrueWhi 63.7 ± 4.1

SensGu 65.9 ± 2.1

RepPro 64.6 ± 3.0

RapRe 65.0 ± 1.8

ComPro

69.4 ± 2.5

N/A

TrueWhi

63.7 ± 4.1

4.0

p = 0.007*

N/A

SensGu

65.9 ± 2.1

5.0

p = 0.011*

NS

N/A

RepPro

64.6 ± 3.0

4.0

p = 0.007*

6.0

p = 0.035*

3.0

p = 0.004*

N/A

RapRe

65.0 ± 1.8

3.0

p = 0.004*

NS

NS

NS

N/A

Control

47.5 ± 2.4

0.0

p = 0.001

0.0

p = 0.001

0.0

p = 0.001

0.0

p = 0.001

0.0

p = 0.001

B. Rotating brushing movement

Toothbrush type

Mean total % plaque removal ± SD

ComPro

69.8 ± 3.6

TrueWhi

64.6 ± 1.6

SensGu

66.0 ± 2.7

RepPro

63.3 ± 5.2

RapRe

65.6 ± 2.6

ComPro

69.8 ± 3.6

N/A

TrueWhi

64.6 ± 1.6

5.0

p = 0.011*

N/A

SensGu

66.0 ± 2.7

8.0

p = 0.038*

NS

N/A

RepPro

63.3 ± 5.2

8.0

p = 0.038*

NS

NS

N/A

RapRe

65.6 ± 2.6

8.0

p = 0.038*

NS

NS

NS

N/A

Control

46.0 ± 2.2

0.0

p = 0.001

0.0

p = 0.001

0.0

p = 0.001

0.0

p = 0.001

0.0

p = 0.001

C. Vertical brushing movement

Toothbrush type

Mean total % plaque removal ± SD

ComPro

53.2 ± 6.1

TrueWhi

36.5 ± 5.0

SensGu

40.2 ± 5.7

RepPro

51.5 ± 5.3

RapRe

51.1 ± 2.1

ComPro

53.2 ± 6.1

N/A

TrueWhi

36.5 ± 5.0

2.0

p = 0.002

N/A

SensGu

40.2 ± 5.7

4.0

p = 0.007*

NS

N/A

RepPro

51.5 ± 5.3

NS

1.0

p = 0.001

4.0

p = 0.007*

N/A

RapRe

51.1 ± 2.1

NS

0.0

p = 0.001

0.0

p = 0.001

24.0

p = 1.000

N/A

Control

35.9 ± 2.0

0.0

p = 0.001

NS

NS

0.0

p = 0.001

0.0

p = 0.001

  1. Data are Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney (WMW) U-statistic and p-values. The cleaning efficacy (% plaque removal) of six toothbrushes (ComPro, TrueWhi, SensGu, RepPro, RapRe, Control) was assessed using APP-index at 30 fields per tooth using three different brushing movements. The total values given are derived from % plaque removal using brushing of the following areas: buccal, mesial, distal, ABCDF buccal, ABCDF lingual, W buccal, W lingual, W1 + W2 mesial, W1 + W2 distal. The cleaning efficacy (% plaque removal) of each single toothbrush was compared against each other via a WMW test (*not significant using Bonferroni correction). APP: automated plaque planimetry; ComPro: Complete Protection Soft; N/A: not applicable; NS: not significant (on either test); RapRe: Rapid Relief Soft; RepPro: Repair & Protect Soft; SD, standard deviation; SensGu: Sensitivity & Gum Soft; TrueWhi: True White Medium; WMW: Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney.