Comparison Panasonic EW-1611 vs Oral-B Professional Care MD20

The cleaning technology used by the toothbrush (see Type).

Nowadays, you can mainly find brushes with reciprocating-rotating, reciprocating-sweeping, and sonic cleaning technologies; the first two options can also be supplemented with pulsating technology. The main difference between these methods is the nature of the bristles' movement; here is a more detailed description of each option:

— Reciprocating-rotating. The traditional way of moving bristles in brushes with round heads. As the name suggests, such a head rotates back and forth at a small angle during operation. This technology is considered somewhat more advanced than reciprocating-sweeping — in particular, it provides better treatment of the interdental space and other similar places. True, such brushes are still not as effective as sonic ones — but they are also noticeably cheaper.

— Reciprocating-sweeping. Historically, this is the first technology used in brushes with oval attachments. The bristles in models with this operating principle oscillate left and right, like the twigs of a broom — hence the name. Classic reciprocating-sweeping brushes are simple in design, but not very effective. As a result, there are few such models these days, mostly budget devices, and most brushes with oval heads use more advanced sonic technology.

—...Pulsating. Usually this term refers to the operating format in which the bristles move up and down relative to the surface of the nozzle, in other words — they go deep into the head and extend back. This technology is almost never used in its pure form; it usually complements a reciprocating-rotating or reciprocating-sweeping head, providing the ability to 3D clean (see “Modes”). But if the 3D mode is not declared in the toothbrush, it is worth separately clarifying what is meant by pulsating technology. So, in some models we are actually talking about a whitening mode, when for maximum intensity of action the device does not work constantly, but in separate pulses; in others, the term “pulsating” actually refers to the sound mode of operation.

— Sonic. A cleaning technology that involves oscillating bristles with a small amplitude at a high frequency — up to 40 thousand oscillations per minute; this speed corresponds to the frequencies of audible sound, hence the name. This method of operation is considered more advanced than the reciprocating-rotating and especially the reciprocating-sweeping technology. Thus, due to the high speed of oscillations, sonic brushes create a fine homogeneous foam from paste, saliva and air during cleaning — this foam easily penetrates even hard-to-reach places; in addition, the vibration itself is effective in affecting plaque, including in the interdental space.

The number of working nozzles that are standardly supplied with the device. Nowadays, options are quite common with both one and two or three nozzles in the kit; and in the most extensive sets, this number can be four or five or even more.

In many sets, several nozzles may have different purposes. For instance, an irrigator, in addition to its standard nozzle, might include orthodontic and periodontal nozzles. However, it's important to note that models with the same number of accessories in the kit can have different specific specializations. So, when making a choice, it's wise to consider not just the quantity but also the types of nozzles available. Additionally, there's an option where several identical interchangeable heads come with one handle. This configuration is particularly common in toothbrushes. It enables multiple individuals, such as family members, to use a single device, and such a set is usually more cost-effective than purchasing individual toothbrushes for each person.

Models of replacement heads supplied with the device.

This information is valuable for assessing the capabilities of a specific model and for sourcing additional, spare, or replacement nozzles, particularly for toothbrushes and dental centers that naturally use such devices (as indicated in "Type"). Firstly, it's advisable to replace the heads in these devices every 3-6 months, similar to regular toothbrushes. Secondly, if each user purchases their own nozzle while sharing a single handle, it's a cost-effective alternative to buying a separate brush for each individual, although it may be less convenient. Regardless, knowing the model of the interchangeable nozzle will save you time and effort when searching for compatible accessories.

The number of power modes provided in the device. For flossing systems (see "Type"), this paragraph takes into account the characteristics of the irrigator; data on the toothbrush (if they differ) are indicated in the note.

It's important to distinguish between the number of power settings and the number of operating modes, as these are distinct parameters. Refer to the "Operating modes" section for details on the various modes. In this context, we emphasize that power adjustment, if available, may not be accessible in all modes. For example, in an irrigator offering two modes of operation—continuous jet and pulsation—power adjustment might only be available in the continuous jet mode.

Having multiple power settings enhances the versatility of the device. Even if a device technically offers only one operating mode, the ability to adjust the intensity of the treatment allows users to tailor the device for various tasks. For instance, in many toothbrushes, the traditional 2D brushing mode at its lowest power setting effectively serves as a gentle treatment option. However, it's worth noting that the capability to adjust power levels can somewhat increase the device's cost.

The frequency of sound vibrations provided by a toothbrush with a sonic operating principle. This parameter also means the maximum pulsation frequency for toothbrushes with support for pulsating cleaning technology (see above) and for irrigators with a pulsed operating mode. For dental centers (see "Type"), data on the irrigator is usually specified here, and the pulsation frequency of the toothbrush (if this parameter is relevant for it) is indicated in a separate note

High frequency of movements and pulsations(from 40 thousand/min and higher) has a positive effect on the efficiency and quality of treatment, allowing you to quickly deal with dense plaque and even tartar. On the other hand, too intensive treatment can also be undesirable - for example, with high tooth sensitivity. All this is also relevant for irrigators - except that the operating frequencies in them are noticeably lower, such devices very rarely produce more than 2 thousand pulsations per minute. So when choosing, do not chase the maximum indicators of the frequency of movements and pulsations, but first of all it is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the user - for a full guarantee, it would not hurt to consult a dentist about this.

The pressure of the water supplied by the irrigator (see "Type") to the operating nozzle. Usually, this pressure can be adjusted within a certain range, since different situations and purposes require different processing intensity. The wider this range, the more versatile the device.

The lower limit of the pressure range in modern irrigators is around 30 kPa; similar values are set for procedures for sensitive teeth, for certain gum diseases and in other cases where the most gentle treatment is required. 400 – 500 kPa is considered an average level, and 600 – 650 kPa is considered high, such indicators allow for deep cleaning (see "Functions"). And higher values are rare, and they are used mainly when cleaning the tongue. However, it is best to consult with a dentist before purchasing an irrigator and choose a model for working pressure based on the recommendations received.

Possibility of mounting the device on the wall.

The design of the mount for these devices depends on the device type (as mentioned earlier) and how it's typically used. In the case of most toothbrushes, which are typically self-powered, they come with a wall-mounted stand that also functions as a charger. Some irrigators and dental centers follow a similar setup, but many of these devices are designed for stationary use and have a larger main unit to which a handle with a nozzle attaches. In such models, the wall mount is designed to accommodate the entire main unit.

Wall installation offers a significant advantage by saving shelf space, which is particularly beneficial in tight spaces. However, this installation method entails additional preparatory work, which can be somewhat challenging. Furthermore, not all wall mounts facilitate easy removal and installation of the device, making it less suitable for situations where you frequently need to take the toothbrush or irrigator with you on trips.

General dimensions of the device. Most manufacturers report this data only for stationary devices — irrigators of the appropriate variety and dental centers (see "Type") — because it is believed that toothbrushes (even with stands) are not so large as to be inconvenient, and not so varied in size, to pay attention to this difference.

Note that the dimensions are usually given only for the main unit, without taking into account the tools installed on it; however, the size of these instruments, again, it is not large enough to cause serious inconvenience.

The total weight of the device is an important consideration. In the case of stationary irrigators and dental centers (as mentioned in the "Type" section), weight isn't a significant factor since the main unit is placed on a stand or wall, and you don't have to hold it. In fact, for some of these models, weight may not even be specified. However, when it comes to toothbrushes or portable irrigators, the device's weight becomes a crucial factor. A heavy device can strain your hand and make it challenging to use during teeth brushing or other procedures. It's generally recommended that the weight of a portable device should not exceed 200 g, and lighter is often better. It's worth noting that in models that come with stands (as discussed earlier), the total weight is typically provided, accounting for both the main unit and the stand. The weight of the main unit alone is usually around 1.5 to 2 times less than the total weight.