Effectiveness of electric toothbrush as vibration method on orthodontic tooth movement: a split-mouth study

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effects of application of vibratory stimuli, using an electric toothbrush, on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement during maxillary canine retraction. Methods: A split-mouth study was conducted in 28 subjects (mean age = 20.8 years; ranging from 18 to 24 years) whose bilateral maxillary first premolars were extracted with subsequent canine retraction. On the Vibration side, light force (100 g) was applied to the canine for 90 days, in combination with vibratory stimuli provided by an electric toothbrush; only orthodontic force was applied to the canine on the non-vibration side. Amount of canine movement was measured monthly. Related to electronic toothbrush usage, a diary was provided to each patient for recording discomfort during experimental period, having 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). The paired t-test was used to assess the differences in amount of tooth movement between canines of the vibration and non-vibration sides. Results: The amount of tooth movement was similar for canines on the vibration side and on the non-vibration side (mean 0.81 ± 0.10 mm and 0.82 ± 0.11 mm, respectively, p> 0.05). Plaque accumulation was minimal in any subject throughout the study. No subject reported discomfort as a result of using the electric toothbrush. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that application of vibratory stimuli using an electric toothbrush, in combination with light orthodontic force, do not accelerate orthodontic tooth movement.

摘要 研究目的：探讨使用电动牙刷（electric toothbrush）施加振动刺激，对上颌尖牙内收过程中正畸牙齿移动速率的影响。
研究方法：本研究采用分口研究（split-mouth study）设计，纳入28名受试者（平均年龄20.8岁，年龄范围18~24岁），所有受试者均拔除双侧上颌第一前磨牙并后续开展尖牙内收治疗。在振动侧，对尖牙施加100g轻力并持续90天，同时辅以电动牙刷提供的振动刺激；非振动侧仅施加正畸矫治力。每月测量尖牙的移动量。为记录试验期间的不适症状，为每位受试者提供了包含100mm视觉模拟评分量表（visual analogue scale, VAS）的日记。采用配对t检验（paired t-test）对比振动侧与非振动侧尖牙的牙齿移动量差异。
研究结果：振动侧与非振动侧尖牙的牙齿移动量相近（分别为0.81±0.10mm与0.82±0.11mm，p>0.05）。整个试验周期内，所有受试者的牙菌斑堆积量均极少。无受试者报告因使用电动牙刷产生不适。
研究结论：本研究证实，联合使用电动牙刷施加振动刺激与轻量正畸力，并未加快正畸牙齿移动速率。