Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness in plaque removal from the tooth surface by electric toothbrushes with different types of bristle movement

Abstract

Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) is an important factor in maintaining the results of active treatment of periodontal disease. Selection of effective personal hygienic tools is very important in addition to the formation of sustainable hygienic skills in patients. The aim of the study is a comparative assessment of the quality of mechanical removal of a native microbial biofilm with toothbrushes with different types of head rotation and a manual toothbrush. Objects and methods. The extracted teeth were fixed in plaster models, and the vestibular surface of the three teeth was processed for 10 seconds without the use of toothpaste. Tooth № 1 was a control (biofilm was not removed), tooth № 2 was cleaned with a manual toothbrush with an imitation of the Brass method, tooth № 3 was cleaned with a brush with oscillating-rotating movements of bristles. Tooth №4 was brushed with a toothbrush with vibrating types of bristles motion. The enamel-cementum junction of the tooth was taken strictly from the vestibular surface along the central axis of the tooth for studying in a scanning electron microscope. Conclusions. A complete cleaning of the tooth enamel surface from microbial biofilms is not achieved after using a manual toothbrush. Toothbrushes with oscillating-rotating movements of bristles create the phenomenon of “sweeping” of the biofilm fragments into the area of the cementum-enamel junction. The vibrating types of bristles motion maximally clean the cervical area of the tooth.