The effectiveness of a magnetized water oral irrigator (Hydro Floss) on plaque, calculus and gingival health

J Clin Periodontol. 1998 Apr;25(4):316-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1998.tb02447.x.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a magnetized water oral irrigator on plaque, calculus and gingival health. 29 patients completed this double-blind crossover study. Each patient was brought to baseline via an oral prophylaxis with a plaque index < or = 1 and a gingival index < or = 1. Subjects used the irrigator for a period of 3 months with the magnet and 3 months without the magnet. After each 3 month interval, data were collected using the plaque index, gingival index, and accretions index. The repeated measures analysis on plaque, gingival and calculus indices yielded a statistically-significant period effect for PlI (p=0.0343), GI (p=0.0091), and approached significance for calculus (p=0.0593). This meant that the effect of irrigation resulted in a decrease of all indices over time. Therefore, the treatment effect on each index was evaluated using only the measurements obtained at the end of the first period (i.e., assuming a parallel design). Irrigation with magnetized water resulted in 64% less calculus compared to the control group. The reduction was statistically significant (p< or =0.02). The reduction by 27% in gingival index was not statistically significant. The reduction in plaque was minimal (2.2%). A strong positive correlation between the plaque index and the Watt accretion index was observed. The magnetized water oral irrigator could be a useful adjunct in the prevention of calculus accumulation in periodontal patients, but appears to have minimal effect on plaque reduction. The results indicated a clinical improvement in the gingival index, but this was not a statistically significant finding.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dental Calculus / prevention & control*
  • Dental Devices, Home Care*
  • Dental Plaque / prevention & control*
  • Dental Plaque Index
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Gingivitis / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Magnetics
  • Oral Hygiene Index
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Periodontal Index
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Therapeutic Irrigation / instrumentation
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Water