Comparative laboratory evaluation of two new toothbrushes regarding interproximal access efficacy

The Colgate Precision toothbrush and the Crest Complete toothbrush were compared using a laboratory device designed to simulate clinical toothbrushing motions and pressures, allowing measurement of interproximal access efficacy. The toothbrushing time was sixty seconds for each vertical or horizontal toothbrushing motion and for each of the three brushing weights tested (250, 500 or 750g). Interproximal access efficacy was determined by measuring the maximum width of the brushing stroke on pressure-sensitive paper placed around simulated anterior or posterior-shaped teeth. Twenty-four toothbrushes of each design were evaluated for each toothbrushing motion, tooth shape and toothbrushing weight for a total of 576 measurements. Using vertical toothbrushing motions the Colgate Precision toothbrush had significantly higher (p < 0.01) interproximal access efficacy mean values, compared to the Crest Complete toothbrush on both anterior and posterior tooth shapes and at each of the brushing weights tested. Using the horizontal toothbrushing motion on anterior-shaped teeth, the interproximal access efficacy for the Colgate Precision toothbrush was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than the Crest Complete toothbrush at 750g of brushing weight. With horizontal toothbrushing across posterior-shaped teeth, interproximal access efficacy values for the Colgate Precision toothbrush were significantly greater (p < 0.01) than the Crest Complete toothbrush at the 250, 500 and 750g brushing weights tested.