Clinical Studies and Case-Based Evidence

Built on science. Validated through research.

Willo's automatic brushing technology has been developed and studied in collaboration with dental professionals, researchers, and families. Explore clinical studies and real-world research evaluating plaque removal, brushing consistency, orthodontic care, and independence.

What the Science Says: 

  • A close-up 3D graphic render demonstrating the mouthpiece attachment of a white and blue automated toothbrush interacting with a model of human gums and teeth. The white bristles are shown angled along the gumline of pink upper and lower dental arches to illustrate comprehensive bristle contact.

    Plaque is a leading cause of tooth decay and gum disease, making effective and consistent plaque removal essential to oral health. But brushing well requires the right technique, coverage, and duration and those skills can be challenging for children and for individuals who need additional support with brushing.


    Willo is designed to reduce those variables by automating the brushing technique and providing consistent coverage, helping take the guesswork out of getting a thorough clean.

    Explore the research behind Willo below.

Clinical Study · Plaque Removal

  • Clinical trial data infographic for the Willo automated mouth toothbrush showing plaque reduction efficacy metrics. The asset details results from a randomized, examiner-blinded clinical study comparing the device against an ADA-approved manual toothbrush in children aged 5 to 13 years old, proving superior clinical performance across multiple dental regions including whole mouth and lingual gingival sectors.

    Evaluating Willo's Plaque Removal Performance 

    A rigorous clinical study tested Willo against a top-rated manual toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association. The results were clear: kids aged 5 to 13 who used Willo had significantly less plaque after just one brushing session.

    On average, Willo removed 60% of plaque, compared to only 20–25% with a manual brush. It was especially effective in hard-to-reach spots — like the back of the mouth — removing up to 7 times more plaque than the manual toothbrush.

    Download Study 

Ongoing Study · Neurodivergent Oral Care

  • infographic with results of Willo neurodivergent brushing study showing that kids took 12 minutes to achieve brushing skill mastery and 85% reduction in prompts within 1 week

    Exploring Independence and Consistency in Neurodivergent Brushing 

    A 6-week pilot study led by Sophie Steele, BCBA, IBA explored the use of Willo AutoFlo+ among seven neurodivergent individuals ages 8–25. Within 7–10 days, participants showed early improvements in independence and cooperation, and by the end of the study, all seven were brushing for two minutes at least once daily. Six of seven caregivers also reported confidence that Willo was effectively cleaning their child’s teeth. The findings suggest that reducing the motor, sequencing, and technique demands of brushing may help support more consistent and independent oral-care routines for some neurodivergent individuals.

Pilot Study · Plaque Removal

  • Before and after comparison of teeth with pinkish discoloration.

    Evaluating Plaque Removal Before and After Brushing with Willo 

    An 8-participant pilot study led by Simon Lin, DDS, a pediatric dentist in Seattle, Washington, evaluated plaque levels before and after brushing with Willo. Before-and-after results demonstrated Willo’s ability to remove visible plaque across participants, providing real-world evidence of its cleaning performance.

Real-World Data · Brushing Duration

  • Willo App real-world usage study showing that 87% of recorded brushing sessions last the dentist-recommended 2 minutes, highlighting the app's guided brushing routines and progress tracking.

    Kids Complete the Full 2-Minute Brushing Routine 87% of the Time 

    Analysis of Willo app usage data shows that 87% of recorded brushing sessions reach the full two-minute brushing duration. The data provides real-world insight into how Willo is used at home and suggests that its automated, guided brushing routine can help children consistently brush for the recommended duration.

Better brushing, backed by science

More effective plaque removal means cleaner teeth and less buildup.

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