Comparative laboratory evaluation of two new toothbrushes regarding interproximal access efficacy

Area of Science:

• Dental hygiene
• Biomechanical engineering
• Oral health research

Background:

• Effective plaque removal relies on toothbrush design and brushing technique.
• Interproximal spaces are challenging areas for toothbrush access and cleaning.
• Quantifying toothbrush efficacy requires standardized laboratory simulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the interproximal access efficacy of the Colgate Precision and Crest Complete toothbrushes.
• To evaluate toothbrush performance under simulated clinical brushing conditions.
• To assess the influence of brushing motion and weight on interproximal cleaning.

Main Methods:

• A laboratory device simulated clinical toothbrushing motions (vertical and horizontal) and pressures (250-750g).
• Interproximal access efficacy was measured by the maximum brushing stroke width on pressure-sensitive paper around simulated teeth.
• Twenty-four toothbrushes of each brand were tested across various conditions, totaling 576 measurements.

Main Results:

• Colgate Precision showed significantly higher interproximal access efficacy than Crest Complete during vertical brushing on both anterior and posterior simulated teeth (p < 0.01).
• During horizontal brushing on anterior teeth, Colgate Precision demonstrated significantly greater efficacy at 750g (p < 0.05).
• Colgate Precision exhibited significantly higher efficacy during horizontal brushing on posterior teeth across all tested weights (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• The Colgate Precision toothbrush offers superior interproximal access efficacy compared to the Crest Complete toothbrush under simulated vertical and horizontal brushing conditions.
• Brushing motion and applied weight significantly influence the interproximal cleaning performance of toothbrushes.
• Laboratory simulations provide valuable data for understanding and comparing toothbrush effectiveness in reaching difficult areas.