Ultreo Ultrasound Toothbrush
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Customer Reviews of Ultreo Ultrasound Toothbrush
Customer Review: Ultreo comparison with Sonicare (Phillips)
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
(3.5 points)
I had bought a Phillips Sonicare on the recommendation of my dental hygienist a month before Ultreo, so I was able to compare these toothbrushes for several days.
Brushing action:
Phillips Sonicare cleans teeth by using a "sonic energy" created by 30K+ bristle sweeps a minute. The bristle sweeps do a great job of getting my teeth super clean that they don't feel "furry" even after the whole day. If you've been using a manual brush before Sonicare then you'll notice that your teeth will soon be noticeably whiter and will feel cleaner.
Ultreo by comparison uses ultrasound energy. The ultrasound energy must travel through a medium and therefore you are required to keep the brush wet and have enough liquid in your mouth. The ultrasound energy then transforms the liquid into "micro-bubbles" which "scrub" your teeth clean. The fewer bristles on an ultreo make it a gentler way to clean your teeth as it uses liquid as the scrubbing medium.
The verdict? - My gums being sensitive, prefer the Ultreo which massages them with the microbubbles. However, my teeth feel cleaner and more plaque free with the Sonicare. With the Ultreo I don't get the super-smooth feeling on my teeth like I do with the Sonicare.
Design and Ergonomics:
Sonicare wins this one as it is lighter, has a thin tapered flex design which feels more natural. Its brush head is also smaller than the Ultreo. That makes it easy to maneuver in your mouth and get into those hard to reach places. The bristle design makes it ideal to get in between teeth and do a good scrubbing job. You can also change the speed from Max to Gentle, a feature not found on the Ultreo because it never gets as intense as the Sonicare.
The Ultreo has a rubber band like center called the "waveguide" and a circle of bristles around it. Somehow I find it hard to keep the bristles of the Ultreo positioned comfortably on my teeth. Since the bristles are higher than the waveguide in the middle, there is a tendency to apply too much pressure on the brush which reduces its effectiveness. It is also less "bendy" than the Sonicare which slightly limits its maneuverability. Both Ultreo and Sonicare shut off after 2 mins and play a tune after each 30 sec so you can switch quadrants. The Ultreo arcade style tune is more fun while the Sonicare just gives a beep.
Verdict: Both have good design elements but Sonicare has a slight edge over Ultreo.
Cost:
Sonicare is cheaper than Ultreo and you can get 2 brush handles and 2 heads pack (e9650) of Sonicare for a lower price than Ultreo 1 handle brush pack. But it's the replacement costs that matter more. Sonicare brush heads are available for less than half the cost of Ultreo brush heads. That might be a deal breaker for some as the brush heads are to be replaced every 2-3 months.
Verdict: Sonicare scores a big one over Ultreo on the price dimension. Ultreo really needs to bring down the cost of the replacement brush heads.
In the last 15 days of usage, (mornings with Sonicare, evenings with Ultreo first week and flip order next week) I prefer Sonicare. However, Ultreo is still a good brush for those with more sensitive gums and I'm giving it 3.5 points.
Final Verdict: This seems like a good brush for those who don't like the intensity of a Sonicare but still want clean teeth. If the manufacturer can also give more information on how ultrasound technology is better in comparison with other technologies it would help convince users to pay more for the Ultreo.
Customer Review: An Investment In Cleaner Teeth
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
BACKGROUND: Prior to this toothbrush, I have exclusively used a manual toothbrush. I have normal, healthy teeth.
SETUP: This is pretty simple. The toothbrush comes with a charging base that you plug in to a standard outlet. It took about 18 hours for my unit to reach a full charge.
DOCUMENTATION: Ultreo gives you both a quick reference sheet and a more detailed user manual. The information is clear and concise. In addition it is available in PDF format from the Ultreo web site.
USAGE: Coming from a manual toothbrush, this was a pretty big change for me. The users manual has good detail about how to position the brush against your teeth and how much (or in this case little) pressure to apply when brushing. According to the manual you are to "let the brush do the work" by applying only light pressure and moving the brush in small circles. Additionally, they recommend that you brush your teeth in 4 zones: lower/outer, lower/inner, upper/outer, and upper/inner. Previously I had brushed my teeth these zones prior to owning this toothbrush: upper and lower outer together, lower inner, upper inner, lower tops, and upper tops. After reading about these adjustments to my routine, I gave it a spin.
When you power on the toothbrush, it runs for two minutes and gives a beep in 30 second increments signaling that it is time to change zones. I have found that this gives me a much more disciplined routine to brushing my teeth and ensures that I spend adequate time on all of my teeth. The bottom line is where it counts, though, and I was impressed with how much cleaner my teeth feel after using this brush compared to my manual brushes. The results are good.
DRAWBACKS: This is probably true with most powered toothbrushes, but you do not want to hit your teeth or gums with anything but the bristles. I have hit my upper teeth with the back of the brush head while working on my lower teeth, and it is not a pleasant experience. It doesn't happen everyday, but I do get the occasional reminder. As a result, I keep my mouth open fairly wide to avoid this, but this makes brushing a little bit messier.
The other drawback in my opinion is the cost of replacement heads. These clock in at just under $25 a piece, and they last 3 months. This is one area where Sonicare has an advantage because replacement heads for a comparable model come in a 3 pack for about $5 more. For me this is what keeps this from being a 5 star item.
CONCLUSION: This toothbrush is definitely an investment in cleaner teeth. If you can live with the ongoing cost and the change to your brushing routine, I highly recommend it.
UPDATE (3/26/2007): After having used this brush for a few months, I have had the opportunity to compare this brush against the Philips Sonicare FlexCare R910 toothbrush. Based on a comparison of the two, I would bump this down to a three star review. With manual brushes as my only comparison it was a four star item. However, I think the gap is pretty big between the Ultreo Ultrasonic and the Philips Sonicare.
Customer Review: A real review from a real user
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with a previous poster that some of these reviews seem very suspect. Rest assured that this is a real review from a person who actually is using the Ultreo (you can check out my other reviews to see that I've been posting them for a while).
But, the topic at hand is the Ultreo. Is it worth the money? Is it better than the other electric toothbrushes?
I think so, but "better" is a very subjective term. I've been using an Oral B electric toothbrush for a few years. Started with the 7000 series and recently upgraded to the 9900 Triumph (the one with the wireless monitor). Both do an excellent job, and get your teeth a lot cleaner than a manual toothbrush (at least for me). The only problem is that they can be a bit rough on the gums. Nothing major, but enough to feel some discomfort. I switched to the ultra soft head which helped a lot, but still there's some minor irritation.
The Ultreo solves this problem completely. It is as gentle as can be on the gums while still getting your teeth clean. Takes a couple of uses to get the hang of it, but once you get the technique down, the process is easy.
There's a lot to like about the Ultreo. Love the design - best way to describe it is that if Apple were to make a toothbrush, this would be it. Nice build quality, feels good in the hand, takes up very little counter space. The designers should take a bow.
Other strong positives (in addition to the gentle approach to the gums) is that it really does help whiten your teeth. No, it's not like getting a whitening treatment, but I've noticed a clear difference that I did not get with the Oral B (even when using their polishing head). Battery life is good, and it's easy to clean (and keep clean).
Some negatives as well. First is the price - kind of steep. The replacement heads aren't cheap either. Also, the brush head is a bit on the large side, which makes it tough to get into the nooks and crannies as well as a smaller head as found on the Oral B. Getting behind the front teeth is especially challenging - it can be done, but you have to contort a bit, and there's usually some drooling involved. Not something you'd want others to see!
I find that the best combo is to use the Ultreo as my "main" toothbrush, but every so often use the Oral-B to make sure that all areas are getting clean. The smaller head is a lot more maneuverable for me. Plus, I use a WaterPik once a day as well. Yes, I'm a real stickler when it comes to teeth, but ever since I've started paying more attention to my teeth cleaning routine, I've been spending a whole lot less time and money at the dentist! For me, it's well worth the time and money.
Bottom line - any electric toothbrush will usually be a better choice than a manual one. If you can swing the cost, the Ultreo is a fine choice. Despite the few negatives, I'd give it 4.75 stars. It's the best choice if you have sensitive gums. Otherwise, you'll also see good results with an Oral B or a Sonic Care. Best way to find out what works best for you is to try them all out - I know the Ultreo and the Oral-B models have a money back guarantee from the manufacturer, so you're not going to be out of pocket if the one you pick doesn't work well for you.
Happy brushing!
Customer Review: Wow! This is impressive!
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Two weeks after receiving the Ultreo Ultrasound Toothbrush, I can honestly feel and see a difference with my teeth. There is not a doubt in my mind that my teeth are cleaner and whiter.
It seems funny to think that something as basic as a toothbrush could benefit as much from technology, but the Ultreo Ultrasound is an excellent example of technology being put to good use. First and most importantly, the ultrasound action makes for a far more effective cleaning. You can feel it at work from the first time you put it in your mouth. But sonic cleaning is just the beginning.
The problem with many power toothbrushes is that you run the risk of wearing away the enamel over time, by adhering to the old "brush for five minutes" mantra that we were taught as children. That's fine with a nice standard "move the brush yourself" appliance, but with new-fangled electrics etc. you can over-brush and do damage to your teeth. My dentist warned me of that. The Ultreo not only has a timer that shuts the brush down at the two minute mark, it also has a ring tone-type sound that marks each 30 second interval. That allows you to divide your mouth in to quarters to make sure that you give the proper amount of attention to your entire set of teeth and not just your favorites.
There is also a display that lets you know when the unit is charging or fully charged, and on of the more attractive (minimal footprint) charger bases that I've seen. Oh... and you can even program it to remind you when it's time to replace the brush head! The travel case is a little larger than I'd like, but it's sleek enough that I'll probably take the darn thing with me when I travel; so there's a plus I hadn't considered.
Given the cost of extra brush heads, I might suggest that you buy the Ultreo Ultrasound Toothbrush - Extra Brush Head Special - Dental Professional Model. That will at least save you some bucks on the first extra head, either as a replacement or for use by someone else in the household.
Yeah, this is a pricey piece of dental maintenance hardware. But let's face it if you're like a good friend of mine that's been using the same toothbrush for years, you're probably not going to spend ten bucks on a "throwaway" electric toothbrush anyway, let alone one in this price range. Ditto that for the folks that balk at the price of replacement heads. If that's an issue, don't spend the bucks for a unit like this in the first place. Dental hygiene is one of the few health sciences where the practitioners, insurers and consumers tend to agree that proactive maintenance is the best way to avoid expensive repair work down the road. I suspect that regular use of the Ultreo will pay for itself over time by just avoiding more expensive (and uncomfortable) procedures in the dentist's chair. That's an investment I'm willing to make!
Customer Review: I really like how the Ultreo makes my teeth feel
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Prior to using the Ultreo, the closest I'd come to trying an electric toothbrush was a little AA battery powered stocking stuffer. The rough vibration of those cheap little electrics doesn't even come close to the tingly smooth feeling operation of an Ultreo Ultrasound Toothbrush. With minimal effort on my part the bristles take over and hum their way across my enamels, leaving them feeling clean and tingly. It takes a day or two to get used to -- since you use the Ultreo a bit differently than a regular toothbrush -- but once you do get used to it, it works like a charm. I literally look forward to brushing and find myself brushing 4 to 5 times daily instead of 3 -- because when I'm done my gums feel good and my teeth feel fresh and clean.
The toothbrush mounts in a little "O" ring connected to a plug and charges up fairly quickly -- and, as it turns out, runs for weeks on a single charge. There is an indicator on the brush to tell you when it needs to be recharged, but I've had mine for about 3 weeks and charged it the first day and then unplugged it and it's still got 2/3 of its charge according to the indicator.
Each brushing session lasts exactly two minutes, and the brush gives a little indication tone every 30 seconds when it's on -- giving you 30 seconds to brush each of the regions of your teeth, which I find to be about enough time to cover every side of every tooth about 3 times. The brush turns off after 2 minutes (though if you want to brush longer you can turn it back on again for 2 more minutes or for however long you want to continue). I like the reminder, and the beeping sound every 30 seconds is not annoying -- more of a chime than a beep -- it helps me be sure I'm doing a thorough job every time.
It's hard to rave about a toothbrush, but I really do like this toothbrush. In the three or four weeks since I received it, I've noticed a significant difference in the whiteness of my teeth and the clean feel of my mouth. I have to admit that I'm curious now about other related toothbrush products, but I expect to be using this one for a very long time.
UPDATE: While I really did like the Ultreo it turned out that after about two months it wasn't working for me anymore. The "buzz" has gone out of it. It still vibrates but not nearly with the same intensity as before -- and it feels more or less just like I'm brushing my teeth manually. I have no idea what causes this and have no idea whether this happens to other Ultreos. It happened on about my third full charge of the device, so I'm pretty sure it is not the battery -- and if it is that would be a big reason not to buy this, since the battery is not replaceable.