Evaluation and comparison of the efficacy of the dental bristle brush and air Prophy unit in the removal of dental plaque – pilot study

A split-mouth study was used. Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI) was assessed in each subject prior to treatment. Two quadrants of the same side were treated with a dental brush, whereas the two remaining quadrants with air prophy unit. RMNPI was assessed after each treatment and comparisons between the treatments were made.

A total of 28 patients were a part of this study, out of which 12 males and 16 females were included in the final analysis. The results of the comparison between the two groups indicated that in both treatments there is a reduction in plaque from baseline for all areas measured. The air prophy group was more effective than the dental brush group in removing plaque when the same amount of time was used for each treatment.