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256 of 265 found the following review helpful:
 Great device but with planned obsolescence Sep 21, 2006
By P. Flindt
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)
127 of 131 found the following review helpful:
 The key to Sonicare longevity... Nov 27, 2005
By JB in Oregon
"jb5000"
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.
122 of 128 found the following review helpful:
 Not for the Chronically Uncoordinated Jun 11, 2003
By K. Bourn
"bohemiangirlpdx"
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.
33 of 33 found the following review helpful:
Excellent for Perio Disease and General Healthy Tissue Oct 02, 2003
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.
19 of 20 found the following review helpful:
Consider the Sonicare Elite instead Aug 02, 2005
By Mike in the Middle
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!
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