Philips Sonicare Elite e7300 Power Toothbrush

Sonicare technology generates 31,000 bristle sweeps per minute. Laboratory studies show that it removes harmful plaque bacteria up to 4 mm beyond the bristle tips -- even below the gum-line.

The Elite brushes have a tapered, lightweight handle, angled neck and advanced brush head design, making brushing more effective and enjoyable.

Bacteria colonies before exposure to Sonicare.

After Sonicare exposure at 4 mm distance, demonstrating Sonicare's "beyond the bristles" performance.

Sonic Technology
Inspired by the technologies of much more expensive dental equipment, Sonicare creates dynamic fluid cleaning action. It works like tiny, but powerful sonic waves, dislodging plaque that isn't normally reachable by a manual brush, or the oscillating or rotating movement of other power brushes. In fact, dynamic fluid cleaning action can actually make it easier to clean plaque below the gum-line. The bristles on a Sonicare play an important part as well. Their high-velocity movement creates the dynamic fluid cleaning action, while allowing for direct contact with each tooth. Sonicare's bristles are also designed to be extra gentle on teeth and gums.

Smartimer
Smartimer is the automatic shut-off feature in your Sonicare brush that helps encourage you to brush for two minutes, which is the dental professional recommended brushing time. It's simple -- after two minutes, your Sonicare shuts off. If at any time during brushing you momentarily stop the brush to rinse or apply more toothpaste, the Smartimer pauses its timing so that you can pick up where you left off. Although two minutes is recommended for optimal results, you can always stop or restart the brush at any time by pressing the power button. Whenever the handle is placed in the charger, the Smartimer automatically resets to ensure a full brushing cycle the next time you use it. The Smartimer also automatically resets itself if you stop your Sonicare toothbrush for longer than 45 seconds.

Easy-start
Because the sensation created by Sonicare's dynamic fluid action is unique, Sonicare has a feature that lets your gums get accustomed to it over the first 12 to 14 uses. All Sonicare models come with the Easy-start feature activated, which helps you adjust to brushing with Sonicare. The Easy-start feature is active on your brush if you hear 2 beeps immediately after turning on your Sonicare. Once you reach optimal brushing power, you will no longer hear the double beeping at the beginning of your brushing routine.

Quadpacer
Quadpacer makes sure that you brush all four quadrants of your mouth evenly and thoroughly. At 30-second intervals (30, 60 and 90 seconds for a 2-minute brushing cycle), you will hear a short beep and a pause in brushing action. This is your signal to move to the next section of your mouth. Quadpacer makes it easy to clean all areas of the mouth equally well.

Recharge Gauge
If your Sonicare features a Recharge Indicator, and the handle is placed into the charger, the charge indicator LED will blink green as the battery charges. When the battery reaches full charge, the charge indicator LED will glow steady green until the handle is removed from the charger base. When your Sonicare is turned on or off, the charge indicator LED will blink yellow if the battery charge is low. You will also be notified, via three rapid beeps, that you have three or fewer brushings remaining.

Dual Speed Control
This feature lets you set the brushing power to work with your needs. Choose normal speed for optimal plaque removal and reduced speed for gentle cleaning of sensitive areas.

What's in the Box
Sonicare Elite toothbrush with one brush head, charger base with easy-wrap cord, brush head holder, and compact travel case.

First, from an aesthetic and ergonomic point on view the Elite is a big step forward. The handle is lighter and has a tapered shape with a rubber grip. More importantly the brush head is smaller and is more of a diamond shape rather than the "original" rectangle. The brush head "neck" is also angled to provide easier access to the back teeth and "flexes" both horizontally and vertically.

That being said, the Elite just does not seem as "powerful" as the original. This is based not only on my subjective opinion of the "feel" while brushing but also on an objective "look" at the brush head while powered on. Whereas the original has bristles that travel through a 90 degree arc, the Elite bristles barely travel at all. Granted, this may be in part due to the smaller/shorter bristles. Sonicare claims that the Elite is actually better from a functional point of view and I cannot say otherwise, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt. (yes, i tested with the "beginner mode" turned off)

Also, after six weeks of usage, one of the magnets on the Elite brush head appears to have rusted significantly. This was never a problem with the "original" Sonicare brush heads. Whether this affects performance or not I cannot say. As the brush head enters its third, fourth or fifth month of service I can only assume that the changes for decreased performance would increase. Also, black "moldy" appearing deposits accumulate in the handle "well" which, also, never occured with the "original". My guess here is that water is allowed to accumulate inside the brush head and handle well because of the flexible rubber housing (between the brush head "nut" and "neck") allows for the 360 degree "flex" I mentioned earlier-this housing is not sealed. When I inquired, Sonicare denied(not having seen the unit) that what I was seeing was rust, and referred me to the cleaning instructions. Take that for what it is worth...

I have found one interesting thing... While the "original" brush head will not fit the Elite handle, the Elite brush head WILL fit the "original" handle. I detect no difference in the brushing experience using that combination.

My recommendations therefore are:

1) if you have never had a Sonicare then by all means buy the "Elite"... (but be wary of the rusting problem)

2) if you currently have an "original" that is on its last legs then buy an Elite (again be wary of the rust)

...


Now a lazy person can have clean teeth   August 28, 2004
rushrider (NC)
371 out of 372 found this review helpful

I've been using the Elite 7300 for about a week now. I really do enjoy it - my teeth feel like I've just been to the dentist. I have fillings on the front of my teeth, and food frequently gets caught on the rough surfaces. Not anymore! The only real drawback I've found is brushing my tongue - brushing it with the toothbrush on sprays toothpaste all over the bathroom, and brushing it with the toothbrush off (like an old fashioned manual toothbrush) is annoying because the toothbrush head is very small. LOVE the 2 minute timer, and I just can't say enough that I LOVE how my teeth feel.

I had a tough time deciding on the different Elite lines, because I didn't find any helpful info on the difference between the models. So I'm going to tell you.

The 7800 allows you to change the pre-programmed 2 minute brushing time to 2 1/2 minutes. It also comes with a "luxury brush holder" - a wall mount kit. Also has a dual speed control and different charger indicator.

The 7500 comes with the stuff above, except not the timer change option.

The 7300 does not come with any of that, and works just fine. No need to spend the extra cash - it's fine just the way it is.


Excellent Toothbrush   April 18, 2003
Stephen Snodgrass (San Francisco, CA USA)
69 out of 71 found this review helpful

I had an old Sonicare for almost 5 years and the battery ... out on me, so I decided to get a new one. I didn't know about the Elite until I went to buy it. I've had it for almost a week and it is defintely better than my old one.

My old Sonicare did not have the Quad Pacer feature which this does and I like it a lot. I also really like the new thin, angled brush head and I believe the claims that the Elite is 20% more effective than older models. My teeth almost feel like I just had them polished after brushing. If you are looking to replace your old one or want to get an powered toothbrush I would recommend.


Really does help avoid gum disease   October 10, 2003
Denise R. Johnson (Oklahoma, United States)
37 out of 37 found this review helpful

I bought an Elite 7500 model because that's what the store had, but I don't think there were many differences in the 7300 and the 7500. I wish I'd had this toothbrush a year or more ago. Maybe I wouldn't have the degree of gum disease I do now. I bought my first and only Sonicare model after very high recommendations by my periodontist. After being examined by her the first time in June, I went back after having used the Sonicare consistently in September. The difference in the two exam's results was phenomenal! The dentist couldn't stop remarking over it! I had pockets of some degree or another around 80% of my teeth; on the 2nd visit, this had been reduced to about 10%, it was that effective on my teeth AND gums. I love the "massage" feeling while I'm brushing too. There's been absolutely no mechanical problems with any part of it, or any "cosmetic" flaws, after 4 months of use, still looks brand new! I now have TWO dentists raving about the condition of my teeth! (And my primary dentist is NOT known for his raving.)


Excellent is an understatement...   May 21, 2003
29 out of 29 found this review helpful

...but I'll say it anyway. This is an excellent product. I bought the 7300 model...I only wish everything I buy was of this quality and effectiveness. Everyone I tell about Sonicare says something like "Oh,yes, it's supposed to get your teeth whiter" or "Yeah, I have one of those where the brush spins." I then explain to them that no, it's not a spinning brush, and no, I don't use it because it makes my teeth whiter (although it does). When my dentist sold me my first Sonicare, he told me that in his opinion using Sonicare is like having microsurgery for gum disease, without the trauma and expense.

My next 3-month checkup after starting to use my Sonicare was the first one in my life where I had no cavities, no work to be done, and no bleeding gums. I've had several similar checkups since then. I attribute these results to Sonicare since that was the only change I made in my dental regimen.

If you don't already have a Sonicare, buy one. You won't regret it. Buy one for everyone you love. It may sound like a lot of money for a toothbrush, but it's worth way more than what it costs. I've already saved thousands in dental bills by using Sonicare. If mine somehow got lost, stolen or broken, I'd have to buy another one the same day. I'll never be without one again.