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Nourallah AW, Splieth CH Caries Res 2004; 38: 91–94

Prevention of pit and fissure caries is difficult for several reasons. One factor is the presence of occlusal plaque which is hard to remove; when it has been effectively controlled, caries has been reduced. This study compared the use of a rotatory method electric brush and manual cross-toothbrushing in a bucco-lingual direction with respect to occlusal plaque removal in a cross-over study in 16 participants aged 5-7 yrs, each with at least 1 noncarious unfilled erupting 1st permanent molar.

Disclosed occlusal plaque was measured in relation to the tooth occlusal surface with a highly reproducible and blinded photographic technique before and after use of each method for 14 dys. Mean scores for electric and manual methods were 14.8% and 16.7% and the difference was significant (P = 0.025) by analysis of covariance. The authors discuss their findings and consider that either technique is probably acceptable, and definitely preferable to the conventional mesio-distal brushing of occlusal surfaces.