Customer Reviews

Philips Sonicare Advance 4100 Sonic Power Toothbrush

5 star:		(237)
4 star:		(63)
3 star:		(29)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

Similar to many people here, my dentist suggested that I start using a Sonicare. I bought the Advance model about four years ago and used it anywhere from 2-4 times a day. My dentist noticed the difference right away and recommended that I continue to use it.

I typically get about 12 days between charges, so I've gotten into the habit of charging it on the 10th and 20th of the month. About a year ago I went on a trip and it died two days into the trip. I later noted that my Sonicare had just turned three and had undergone less than 100 charge cycles. A good set of rechargeable batteries should last anywhere from 300-900 charge cycles, but the Sonicare is using a unique wireless charging system that may or may not have a detrimental impact on the batteries.

In an attempt to prevent another item from being sent to a landfill, I contacted Sonicare, told them that my batteries appeared to be dead and asked to have them replaced. I offered to pay for shipping and cost of the batteries, but they advised that they don't provide that service, but would be willing to sell me a new one at a discount. I thanked them but declined.

Since the warranty expired, I took a Dremel tool to the Sonicare and opened it up. To my delight, I noted that the batteries employed by the unit were two standard, albeit unbranded AA NiCad cells. I removed and replaced them with two 600mah Sanyo cells, closed the handle and sealed it shut with silicone. It's been over a year now and my Sonicare is working as well as it did the day I bought it. For the gear heads out there, the Sonicare consumes about 1.3 watt hours and lasts about 14 days between charges when used twice a day. This equates to about 56 minutes of total run time, which means that the original batteries installed in the Sonicare were ~600 mah. I considered replacing the batteries with 2000mah NiMH cells, but opted against this option as the cells would probably self-discharge before I depleted the cells from normal use.

I disagree with another reviewer and do not believe the Sonicare should use Li-Ion or Li-Poly cells. Li-Ion and Li-Poly cells require sophisticated charging and discharging circuitry. They also last fewer recharging cycles than NiCads. Conversely, NiCads take a lot of abuse and in an application of this size, they provide more than enough storage capacity. For the bean counters, NiCads are cheap to source. However, the cadmium in NiCads is highly toxic and not exactly the most environmentally friendly option for batteries. Compared to NiCads, Nickel Metals would be a better environmental choice but would provide little performance benefit.

I like the Sonicare, but I don't approve of the idea of buying things and having to replace them because it was designed last a finite period and not be user serviceable. I would have given this item 5 stars had it been designed to allow the user the option to easily replace the batteries when they died as well as a having some sort of reclamation process for the $12 replacement heads.

Updated to add: I just bought a new brush head over the weekend and they're up to $20 now for a single and $30 for a pair.(2 October, 2006)

For those complaining about short-lived units: the key to longevity with this (or ANY Ni-Cad battery device) is NOT to leave it on the charger constantly. Only use the charger after the battery is drained. This way, mine gets recharged once every 2 weeks. Otherwise it sits in the drawer like a regular toothbrush. No manufacturer will EVER tell you that little tidbit for reasons I'm sure you can figure out yourself. ALL rechargeable batteries have a finite number of usable charge cycles. Once used up the battery will stop taking a charge. Another longevity trick is to take teflon tape (used by plumbers) and seal tightly the hold-down cap of the brush head - this prevents water from rusting out the brush head magnets.

Update: Jan 22, 2011
Well, a second family Advance a4100 finally went to toothbrush heaven. Lasted only a little over 7 years. (Another one in our family was on it's eight year when it finally died) Can't complain too much about that! That's with twice-daily use & charging it ONLY after it runs down completely. I love the Sonicare. A new Essence model in on the way from Amazon as the Advance appears to be phased out of the Sonicare line. Too bad. I hope that the Phillips takeover hasn't been for the worse. Also, I have switched to the E series brush heads as they are more readily available than the original heads. Possibly they were phased out also.

Based on my dentist's recommendation, I switched to an electric toothbrush, and ran across this one. I wasn't disappointed. The Sonicare left my teeth looking very white after just one use, and my teeth just feel cleaner than ever.

As a tea drinker, I contend with the stains that tea leaves. After my dentist recommended against using the whitening toothpastes, due to their abrasiveness to gums, I thought I was going to be stuck with healthier gums but stained teeth. Sonicare without whitening toothpaste makes my teeth look better than they did when I was using a regular toothbrush with whitening toothpaste. (I feel like a ditsy, smiling spokesmodel here but I really was impressed.)

My only complaint has been getting used to brushing with an electric toothbrush--a problem I suspect I would have with ANY electric toothbrush. You have to get in the habit of putting the Sonicare in your mouth, and closing your lips around the brush BEFORE you turn it on. Otherwise, you wind up with toothpaste decorating your bathroom mirror, your clothes, and pretty much the entire area around your bathroom sink. This isn't something easy to remember when your half awake and brushing your teeth. My other only complaint (OK, I guess I have two) is that Sonicare turns off after about two minutes, the time it has determined it should take you to brush your teeth. Being a little slower with things, I would rather turn it off when I'M done, not when it thinks I should be done. Apparently this design feature is to avoid over brushing. Since you can turn the Sonicare right back on again, this isn't a problem.

I can't speak for how long the charge lasts as I have left it on the charging stand when not in use. Apparently, however, the Sonicare is designed to hold a charge for quite a few hours, to allow you to take it with you while traveling, for instance, without having to bring the entire charging stand along.

I am a dental hygienist and have seen many results from the use of various electric brushes. Sonicare far outways its competitors especially for helping to stabilize periodontal disease in conjunction with a 2-4 month visit for perio maintenance. If the tissue is healthier with normal 'pocket depths,' then the Braun products, or manual toothbrush used with good technique are fine; but overall, they still do not leave the tissue as healthy (firm) as the Sonicare. In all cases, the areas between the teeth need regular attention, ie floss, go-betweens, proxybrushes, stimulators, or other effective tools which stimulate the gums and break down bacteria. The main ineffectiveness of the brush has NOT to do with the brush, but with its inconsistant use, or poor technique by its user. The main patient complaint I have gotten is that the brush is too vigorous for them, but those complaints are few compared to those who are pleased. Hygienist's opinions vary, so ask yours for an assessment.

I had one of the older Sonicare Advance models before the Elite came out. Great toothbrush. In fact I never would have thought of upgrading except for the fact that I was doing lots of traveling and the older models didn't keep their charge very long. I am really glad I made the change. While even the Sonicare Advance toothbrushes apparently have better batteries now, I have taken my Elite for trips in excess of two weeks, using it twice most days. There are, however, lots of other features which make the Elite a better brush. Most importantly is the size and shape of the head. The original Sonicare and the current Advance models have a large head which extends straight from the main body of the toothbrush. The Elite series has a smaller head and comes off of the body of the brush at a more ergonomically functional angle. Smaller is better in terms of doing a good job of cleaning. The first time I used my old Sonicare I was amazed. I had a similar reaction when I upgraded to the Elite. It does a much better job at getting into small spaces and cleaning back teeth.

Another nice feature is that it is less messy than my older model. If you don't clean the underside of the head on older models, they get pretty gross very quickly. While the Elite also requires cleaning, it seems that the seal that separates the base of the head from the arm holding the bristles seals much better. Definitely a cleaner medicine cabinet.

One hundred dollars seems like a lot for a toothbrush. However, given how this brush really saves teeth and preserves their attractiveness, it is really a bargain. If you don't have a Sonicare, order one today. If you can afford a few more dollars, definitely consider upgrading to the Elite model. It is a wonderful product!

Back in 1997, I thought I was doing a good job brushing my teeth with a manual brush once a day. However, I hadn't had a dental checkup for quite some time due to being a poor college student. So when I finally graduated and got a decent job with health benefits, I figured it was time to schedule an appointment. To my horror, the dentist said that my teeth were a mess, and that I needed to have immediate deep cleaning, with further work and checkups done every three months. She also recommended I buy a Sonicare toothbrush and some floss.

I immediately complied and began using my Sonicare twice a day, along with flossing in the evening. When I went back three months later, she was amazed at how much my oral health had improved. My teeth looked better, I had a lot less plaque build-up, and my gums were pink and healthy. She revised her initial diagnosis and said I was OK to resume a normal checkup/cleaning schedule every six months. Whew.

Of course, I've used a Sonicare ever since. I had to replace my first one due to charging failure, but I figure one blowout in nine years isn't so bad. The only usage issue I had was learning to let the brush do the work instead of pressing it down. I was counseled to merely hold it in place and let the bristles glide over my teeth and gums. That, along with toothpaste for sensitive teeth, helped ease the discomfort I was feeling after inadvertently brushing too hard. The two-minute auto shut-off is helpful, since it ensures a consistent and effective brushing period.

If you haven't started using a Sonicare toothbrush yet (or something similar), then take the plunge. Make sure you replace the heads when they wear out in order to maintain maximum cleaning power (it's kind of easy to put that off). I wish they had been around when I was a kid, since I endured tons of painful dental work done that could've been prevented. The Sonicare helped save my adult teeth, and for that I give it my highest recommendation.

I am on my second Sonicare and I got my first when I was pregnant with my 10 year old! Cleans great! People speak of the cost. This is cheap compared to the investment in dental work if not used. These don't even compare to a regular tooth brush. Make the investment in your teeth and you will be thankful.

I consider myself to be enough of a minimalist that the idea of an electric toothbrush seemed excessive to me. When my friend raved about hers (she has used hers for 5 or 6 years now) she said that it changed her life. I gave it a shot, and it took about a week or two before it didn't feel really weird but now I absolutely love it. On the occasions that I use a regular toothbrush my teeth simply don't feel clean like they do when I use my sonicare. I love this toothbrush and and feel it is well worth the investment.

I compare using this toothbrush with just having my teeth cleaned by a dentist. I originally bought a Sonicare for my husband and it worked so well we bought the extra heads and we share the same base. Now he is traveling so much that I want my own base. It is several years old and still brushing very well, neither of us having any complaints. In fact, we were both so happy with the results, that I bought my father one as well. The next time my dad went for his usual cleaning, the dentist was amazed at how clean and nice looking his teeth were. As a daily coffee drinker, my dad would have bad coffee stains on the inside of the teeth, that the dentist would have to work at to remove. Since he got the Sonicare, cleanings are much more pleasant and less work. For smokers, the Sonicare will remove stains if you use it on a regular basis. It's truly amazing what this brush can do and it's worth the money. I don't think it matters which particular model of the Sonicare you get. Sure it sucks that the battery can't be replaced but if it lasts you for approx. 4 years, isn't that worth it? I proudly recommend a Sonicare to everyone.

I have used this product for a week and already my teeth look and feel cleaner than they ever have. I feel like my teeth have been cleaned by the dentist. This toothbrush does what the maker claims it does. I highly recommend it. It's great!