Dental care with manual toothbrushes during fixed orthodontic treatment--a new testing procedure

The aim of this investigation was to employ a new in-vitro testing system for manual toothbrushes in order to distinguish the more effective from those less so for dental care during fixed appliance treatment.

The testing apparatus consisted of a sliding carriage able to execute a horizontal brushing movement, and a row of artificial teeth upon which the various toothbrushes were manipulated. The artificial row of teeth was fixed on a sensor that recorded in all three dimensions the forces and moments caused by the toothbrushes on the toothbrush field. All the tests were executed with a weight of 110 g on a tooth field with a multibracket appliance. Tests were also carried out with five toothbrushes having weights of 200 g, 250 g and 300 g. Here, the decisive target values were 1) the degree of exertion necessary in the brushing direction to move a brush over the artificial teeth, and 2) the maximum force occurring in the brushing direction. High target values indicated high interaction between toothbrush bristles and the surfaces being brushed.

From testing five toothbrushes with four different weights, we have established profiles confirming the beneficial and less beneficial properties of certain toothbrushes involving various high contact forces.