Novelty Units

A pulsating home irrigation unit which contains a small magnet has been evaluated in two research studies. 56,57 Watt et al. found that water irrigation using a unit with a magnet produced a 44% greater reduction in calculus volume and 42% greater reduction in calculus area than teeth irrigated with a unit that did not have a magnet.56 Several aspects of the study have been criticized. First, only the labial and lingual aspects of anterior teeth were evaluated, and no attempt was made to separate calculus from plaque. Importantly, the index implemented is not used in the literature as a standard method for measuring plaque and calculus. In an attempt to correct these limitations, Johnson et al. conducted a 1998 study, and found a 64% statistically significant reduction in calculus with the magnetized unit. However, there were no significant reductions for plaque or gingivitis.57

Recently, a new oral irrigator that incorporates microbubbles of air into the water was introduced. In a study by Frascella et al., the device was equivalent to manual brushing in reducing plaque, gingivitis and bleeding.58