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Sonicare Toothbrush feature evaluation :
Considerations associated with choosing between a ProResults or e-series brush head utilizing Sonicare toothbrush.

ProResults v. e-series brush heads.

Each Sonicare toothbrush model utilizes a specific type of brush head. The relatively newer lines (the FlexCare and HealthyWhite toothbrush models) use Sonicare's ProResults brush heads. In comparison, some of the older-design Sonicare toothbrushes (our pages cover the Essence series and the Xtreme) use Sonicare's e-series (Elite-style) heads. There are a number of differences between these two brush head designs and when compared, the advantages offered by the ProResults line may be significant enough to influence a person's choice towards a Sonicare model that uses them.

As an example of one of these advantages, the way in which a ProResults brush head is mechanically affixed to its toothbrush body is simpler and more straightforward. E-series brush heads screw onto the toothbrush's body whereas the ProResults brush heads simply snap into place over a rod that extends out from it. If more than one person will use the same Sonicare toothbrush, the snap-on ProResults-style brush heads do provide a convenience factor because changing brush heads is quicker and easier.

This same ProResults body-to-brush-head interface allows for another advantage, it's easier to keep the brush head portion of the toothbrush clean. With the older style e-series brush heads there are more nooks and crannies, both on the toothbrush body and on the brush head stem, where gunk will tend to accumulate. In those instances where a toothbrush will be shared by multiple users or a Sonicare owner is a bit of a neat freak, this easier-to-keep-clean feature of the ProResults head may be appealing. However, in those cases where only one person will use the toothbrush and brush heads are only changed infrequently, the inconvenience of the e-series brush head design may not be very much of a consideration.

As a disadvantage of the ProResults-style brush head, there have been some reports where some Sonicare owners have found that they are unable to firmly affix their ProResults brush head to their toothbrush's body and as a result it comes off while their toothbrush is in use. While it doesn't seem that this is a widespread problem in general, this type of event can't occur with an e-series brush head because they screw into place.

There are some differences in the design of the bristled portion of each of these types of brush heads. The ProResults heads have a marginally larger and more flared bristled portion, which makes for a marginally more efficient brushing sweep. And the overall shape of the bristles of a ProResults brush are more contoured, which makes it so the efficiency of the toothbrush is less dependent upon the precise orientation of the bristles against the user's teeth. Additionally, as a convenience factor, the fact that the stem portion of a ProResults brush head is slightly longer than the e-series' may make brushing back teeth with a ProResults toothbrush easier for some people.

All of these factors (tied in with factors associated with improved toothbrush design) do seem to make those Sonicare toothbrush models that utilize ProResults brush heads slightly more efficient brushers (on a per-minute basis) than e-series toothbrushes. In a comparison study of the cleaning efficiency of the FlexCare (ProResults) and Elite (e-series) toothbrushes (Milleman, 2007), it was determined that the FlexCare's cleaning efficiency was about four percent greater (when both brushes were used for a two-minute brushing session).

We can appreciate that any increase in brushing efficiency is desirable but one might consider how cost effective gaining this advantage is. There is over a decade of published research documenting the fact that (older design) Sonicare toothbrushes are effective teeth-cleaning devices. We agree that the Milleman study documents that newer Sonicare models are more efficient brushers (plaque removal per two-minute brushing session) but we would anticipate that if the test subjects were allowed to use the older-style (less expensive) Sonicare toothbrush for just a few moments longer it could produce an equally effective brushing end result. It seems to us that for a person who only comprehends tooth brushing as a timed two-minute event the ProResults-utilizing toothbrush may be the better choice. For those budget-minded people who understand what they need to accomplish when they brush their teeth and will brush until they have accomplished it, a Sonicare that utilizes e-series brush heads can be an excellent and cost-effective choice.

Replacement e-series and ProResults brush heads.

Sonicare's website currently recommends that both styles of brush heads (ProResults and e-series) should be replaced on a three-month basis. Historic versions of the owner's manuals for the Elite and Essence lines (Sonicares that use e-series brush heads) recommended changing brush heads every six months. So, for whatever reason, Philips Sonicare designers seem to be working in the wrong direction in regards to this matter.

Both styles of brush heads come in a Standard and Mini (compact) size. Replacement ProResults brush heads are less expensive than e-series brushes. On the order of around 25 to 30 percent.