Effectiveness of T-shaped Toothbrush

Primary outcomes

1. Plaque score

   Time frame: 3 months

   Plaque score measurement performed at baseline, after 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months.

   Plaque score measurement (amount of plaque) was recorded on both the buccal and lingual sides of all teeth using the modified Quigley and Hein Plaque Index (Turesky et al., 1970) {0-no plaque present, 1- separate flecks of plaque at the cervical margin, 2- a thin, continous band of plaque at the cervical margin, 3- a band of plaque wider than 1mm but covering less than 1/3 of the surface, 4- plaque covering at least 1/3 but less than 2/3 of the surface, 5- plaque covering more than 2/3 of the surface}. Each tooth was scored in six areas: mesiofacial, midfacial, distofacial, mesiolingual, midlingual and distolingual. The minimum and maximum score per tooth was 0 and 30. The scores for each participant was summed and divided by the total number of measurements (number of teeth scored multiplied by six). Higher scores indicated worse outcome.

2. Gingival status

   Time frame: 3 months

   Gingival status measurement performed at baseline, after 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months.

   Gingival status (gingival inflammation) was scored using the Loe and Silness (Loe & Silness, 1963) {0-absence of inflammation, 1- mild inflammation, 2- moderate inflammation, 3- severe inflammation}. Each tooth was scored in six areas: mesiofacial, midfacial, distofacial, mesiolingual, midlingual and distolingual. The minimum and maximum score per tooth was 0 and 18. The scores for each participant was calculated by adding all the individual plaque scores and dividing this sum by the total number of measurements (number of teeth scored multiplied by six). Higher scores indicated worse outcome