Thirty-day evaluation of the Stimu-gum gingival stimulator and tooth polisher for clinical safety and efficacy

J Clin Dent. 1992;3(4):116-20.

Abstract

Two clinical studies have been performed to assess the intraoral safety and efficacy of a mechanical device containing a rubber cup polisher and interdental stimulator (Stimu-gum). In the first study the potential for producing irritation of the oral mucosal tissues was evaluated in 19 subjects when the Stimu-gum product was used in an exaggerated manner, i.e., five times a day for seven days. No untoward effects attributed to use of the Stimu-gum product were observed or reported at anytime in the study. A thirty-day study on 64 subjects compared the Stimu-gum device with an Oral-B 35 manual toothbrush for safety, plaque removal and gingivitis evaluations, at baseline and after 15 and 30 days of product use. The Stimu-gum product and the Oral-B toothbrush were equally effective in removing overnight plaque. The Stimu-gum device was significantly more effective than the Oral-B toothbrush in reducing gingivitis scores at 30 days and bleeding on probing at 15 days. Bleeding on probing scores continued to be lower in the Stimu-gum group at 30 days; however, differences were not statistically significant compared to the Oral-B mean scores.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Dental Devices, Home Care*
  • Dental Plaque / prevention & control*
  • Dental Plaque Index
  • Female
  • Gingivitis / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Periodontal Index
  • Single-Blind Method