SynthesisPloS one2024
Manual toothbrushing techniques for plaque removal and the prevention of gingivitis-A systematic review with network meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Manual toothbrushing techniques for plaque removal and the prevention of gingivitis-A systematic review with network meta-analysis.PloS one · 2024Pooled it
- A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial Investigating 16-Branched Filament Toothbrush Effects on Dental Plaque Removal.Clinical and experimental dental research · 2025Trial
- Comparative assessment of oral hygiene awareness and periodontal knowledge among caregivers of children with and without intellectual disabilities: a cross-sectional comparative study.BMC oral health · 2026Article
- The Journey of Oral Hygiene: The Past, the Present, the Future.Journal of periodontal research · 2026Article
- Comparative assessment of three brushing techniques among in India.Bioinformation · 2026Article
- Prophylaxis during multibracket appliance treatment - a survey among general dentists in Germany.BMC oral health · 2025Article
- Self-Reported Oral Hygiene Performance of Patients in Albania: A Questionnaire-Based Survey.Dentistry journal · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe meaning of the toothbrushing technique for the effectivity of toothbrushing in terms of plaque removal and parameters of gingivitis is unknown. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
methodsWe searched MEDLINE (PubMed), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Web of Science for RCTs that compared any self-applied manual toothbrushing technique to any other technique or control and assessed plaque after toothbrushing and gingivitis. Where intervention effects were recorded repeatedly, the last post-intervention assessment was treated as the primary outcome date (POD), and the assessment closest to the intervention as the secondary outcome date (SOD). Age restrictions were not imposed. Participants with fixed orthodontic appliances were excluded. The evidence was evaluated using the Confidence in Network Meta-Analyses (CINeMA) approach, which is based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
resultsThirteen publications, including 15 studies, were identified. Ten studies assessing the Fones, Bass, and Scrub techniques provided data eligible for the NMA. The confidence rating of the evidence varied from very low to high in the case of plaque, and from very low to low in the case of gingivitis. Regarding PODs, Fones probably reduces plaque slightly compared with no training; the evidence is very uncertain that Fones may have little to no effect on gingivitis. Bass may result in little to no difference in plaque; the evidence that Bass may result in a slight increase in gingivitis is very uncertain. The evidence is very uncertain that Scrub may result in little to no difference in plaque at the SOD (no POD-data available) and that it may result in a slight increase in gingivitis.
conclusionThere is limited evidence regarding the effects of toothbrushing techniques on plaque after brushing or gingivitis.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.