Laboratory interproximal access efficacy of two compact manual toothbrushes

The Colgate Precision Compact, soft texture toothbrush and the Oral-B 35 toothbrush were compared using a laboratory device designed to simulate clinical toothbrushing motions and pressures. The toothbrushing time was sixty seconds for each vertical or horizontal toothbrushing sequence, for each of the three brushing weights tested (250, 500 or 750 g). Interproximal access efficacy (IAE) was determined by measuring the maximum width of the brushing stroke on pressure-sensitive paper placed around simulated anterior or posterior teeth. Twenty-four toothbrushes of each design were evaluated for each toothbrushing motion, tooth shape and toothbrushing weight. Using the vertical toothbrushing motion on anterior teeth, IAE means for the Colgate Precision Compact toothbrush were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the Oral-B 35 toothbrush at 250 and 750 g of brushing weight. With vertical toothbrushing across posterior-shaped teeth, IAE values for the Colgate Precision Compact toothbrush were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the Oral-B 35 toothbrush at each of the 250, 500 and 750 g brushing weights tested. With horizontal toothbrushing motions, the Colgate Precision Compact toothbrush had significantly higher (p < 0.001) IAE means, compared to the Oral-B 35 toothbrush, on both anterior and posterior tooth shapes and at each of the brushing weights tested. When all factors tested were combined, the total IAE for the Colgate Precision Compact toothbrush was significantly superior (p < 0.001) to the Oral-B 35 toothbrush.