Cost-efficacy of anteroposterior toothbrushing using a toothbrush with extra-long bristles in the tip vs. cross-toothbrushing using a toothbrush with bristles in the same plane- randomized and controlled clinical trial

This single-blinded randomized clinical trial investigated if the anteroposterior toothbrushing using a toothbrush with extra-long bristles in the tip (test mode) was more cost-efficacious than cross-toothbrushing technique using toothbrush with bristles in the same plane (control mode) in controlling caries lesion progression on occlusal surfaces of erupting first permanent molars. One hundred and forty participants (66 children and 74 adolescents) were randomly assigned for test and control modes of toothbrushing (technique + toothbrush). They were followed-up for 24 months. For assessing differences between groups in terms of efficacy, per protocol, intention to treat (ITT) and survival analyses were used. The outcomes set were: 1) overall caries lesions progression; 2) caries lesions progression for cavity threshold. Toothbrush cost and deterioration were considered for economic feasibility. The cost-efficacy between groups was compared using the incremental cost-efficacy ratio. The test mode was superior regarding overall caries lesion progression. Per protocol and survival analyses showed similar trends. ITT analysis for the previously mentioned outcome, as well as all analyses considering progression for cavitation threshold, did not show differences between groups. Incremental cost-efficacy ratio was superior to the thresholds determined by World Health Organization for being cost-efficacious treatments. In conclusion, the test mode has reduced impact on caries lesions progression compared to the control mode and is not most cost-efficacious than that. Therefore, the replacing the control mode for the test mode in clinical practice is not recommended...