Efficacy of various side-to-side toothbrushes and impact of brushing parameters on noncontact biofilm removal in an interdental space model.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of four different side-to-side toothbrushes and the impact of various brushing parameters on noncontact biofilm removal in an adjustable interdental space model. A three-species biofilm, consisting of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Streptococcus sanguinis, was formed in vitro on protein-coated titanium disks using a flow chamber combined with a static biofilm growth model. Subsequently, the biofilm-coated disks were exposed to four different powered toothbrushes (A, B, C, D). The parameters distance (0 and 1mm), brushing time (2, 4, and 6s), interdental space width (1, 2, and 3mm), and toothbrush angulation (45° and 90°) were tested. The biofilm volumes were determined using volumetric analyses with confocal laser scanning microscope (Zeiss LSM700) images and Imaris version 7.7.2 software. The median percentages of simulated interdental biofilm reduction by the tested toothbrushes ranged from 7 to 64%. The abilities of the analyzed toothbrushes to reduce the in vitro biofilm differed significantly (p<0.05). Three of the tested toothbrushes (A, B, C) were able to significantly reduce a simulated interdental biofilm by noncontact brushing (p≤0.005). The brushing parameters and their combinations tested in the experiments revealed only minor effects on in vitro interdental biofilm reduction (p>0.05). A three-species in vitro biofilm could be altered by noncontact brushing with toothbrushes A, B, and C in an artificial interdental space model. Certain side-to-side toothbrushes demonstrate in vitro a high efficacy in interdental biofilm removal without bristle-to-biofilm contact.