REMOVING PLAQUE FROM CRITICAL SURFACES OF TEETH

The Dental Air Force system was tested against a widely accepted combination of power toothbrush and toothpaste for plaque removal on all tooth surfaces.

Results from clinical studies conducted by the Periodontology Department at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry show that the Dental Air Force system is substantially equivalent to the powered toothbrush for gross plaque removal. However, the tests revealed an important difference.

The power toothbrush/toothpaste combination was very aggressive in plaque removal on the easily accessed buccal and lingual surfaces, but failed to be as aggressive on interproximal surfaces. Aggressive cleaning on one or two surfaces of teeth may be of marginal benefit if the remaining surfaces receive less effective cleaning.

The Dental Air Force system was more effective at removal of plaque in the difficult to reach interproximal surfaces. The results of the clinical tests are charted below. It is clear there was consistent effective removal of plaque from all three types of tooth surfaces by the Dental Air Force system. Successful cleaning of all tooth surfaces without being too abrasive on any one type of surface is a real benefit.

Plaque Removal Equivalency Tests

CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF DETRIOT,
MERCY SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY, PERIODONTOLOGY DEPARTMENT

In a report by B.R. Cumming and H. Loe published in Periodontal Research (8:94-100 1973), the critical levels of plaque on interproximal tooth surfaces were evaluated. Based on their clinical trials, Cumming and Loe found that the patterns of plaque were to a degree unique for individuals but still followed a general pattern. Facial surfaces displayed the lowest frequency of plaque deposits, while interproximal surfaces harbored the highest amount of plaque.

The Dental Air Force system is effective in removing plaque from critical interproximal tooth surfaces.