Laboratory efficacy of an oscillating-rotating toothbrush with a uniquely designed head and extremely tapered bristles.

PURPOSE: This laboratory study compared a newly designed GUM oscillating-rotating power toothbrush with a unique head design that combines both standard nylon filament and extremely tapered filaments to the Oral-B oscillating-rotating-pulsating power toothbrush with the Precision Clean head and to the Oral-B Compact 35 Indicator manual toothbrush for their ability to reach and remove artificial plaque deposits from hard-to-reach interproximal and subgingival sites. METHODS: Interproximal access efficacy (IAE) was evaluated using an artificial plaque substrate placed around simulated teeth. Subgingival access efficacy (SAE) was determined by using simulated gingiva prepared with a 0.2 mm space between the gingiva and artificial plaque substrate covering the simulated teeth. Results were recorded on the same artificial plaque substrate placed under the gingiva and around the simulated teeth. RESULTS: The overall IAE value for the new GUM oscillating-rotating power head indicated that it was significantly more effective compared to the Oral-B power and manual toothbrushes in interproximal access (P< 0.001). The mean value for SAE for the new and commercially available power products also were significantly more effective compared to the manual toothbrush in subgingival access (P< 0.001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The presence of dental plaque at interproximal and subgingival sites will result in the development of gingivitis if not removed regularly and thoroughly. The demonstrated superior ability of the oscillating-rotating power toothbrush head to reach deeper into those sites versus the manual brush indicates that when used properly, the unique oscillating-rotating head with extremely tapered bristles may be effective for the treatment and prevention of gingivitis.

Laboratory plaque reduction by three floss products.

PURPOSE: A new laboratory method was developed to compare GUM Expanding floss, Reach Mint Waxed and Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Deep Clean for their ability to reduce artificial plaque. METHODS: The floss product to be evaluated was affixed to the testing device and placed around interproximal surfaces of plaque-covered posterior-shaped teeth extending to a 60° angle. The testing apparatus was set to move in a vertical direction to the tooth apex at two strokes per second with a 5 mm stroke for 15 seconds. The plaque substrate was then evaluated for maximum depth of the plaque removed. Results for all comparisons were statistically analyzed using the post hoc Tukey test for multiple pairwise comparisons and t-tests, assuming unequal variance, were used to compare mean depth of plaque removed for the same product under differing flossing pressures. RESULTS: The mean plaque depth removed by GUM Expanding floss was greater than the mean plaque removed by the Reach Mint Waxed at 50 g (P< 0.05) and at 150 g (P< 0.001). The mean plaque depth removed by GUM Expanding floss was also greater than the Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Deep Clean mean plaque depth removal at both 50 g and 150 g (P< 0.001). Reach Mint Waxed floss plaque removal efficacy was superior to the Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Deep Clean at 50 and 150 g (P< 0.001 for each). Both the GUM Expanding floss and Reach Mint Waxed floss removed more plaque at 150 g than at 50 g (P< 0.001 for GUM Expanding and P< 0.01 for Reach Mint Waxed). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental plaque will result in the development of caries, gingivitis and periodontal disease if not removed regularly. The superior efficacy of GUM Expanding floss in decreasing plaque depth, compared to two commercially available floss products that have demonstrated clinical efficacy in decreasing plaque and gingivitis, indicate that this product also may be effective for the treatment and reduction of plaque and related diseases.

Laboratory interproximal access efficacy of four elmex caries protection toothbrushes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to evaluate five toothbrushes in a laboratory assay that determines the ability of toothbrush bristles to penetrate and remove artificial plaque from interproximal sites. Interproximal access efficacy (IAE), using the laboratory method employed, has been predictive of clinical plaque removal. METHODS: The toothbrushes tested were four elmex Caries Protection (SOFT, SOFT Short Head, MEDIUM, and MEDIUM Short Head) and the American Dental Association's (ADA) standard. Simulated anterior and posterior teeth were covered with a pressure-sensitive artificial plaque substrate. Efficacy was evaluated by using the test products to brush the simulated teeth using horizontal and vertical motions with a brushing pressure of 250 g. The maximum width of plaque removed from around the simulated teeth is defined as IAE. Twenty-four tests were conducted on each toothbrush product group. Test results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and the post hoc Tukey test. RESULTS: In all assays conducted, the four elmex Caries Protection toothbrushes had a superior overall IAE (p < 0.001) compared to the ADA standard toothbrush. There were no statistically significant differences in the overall IAE means between the four elmex Caries Protection toothbrushes. CONCLUSION: The elmex Caries Protection toothbrushes are predicted to have superior clinical plaque removal efficacy compared to the ADA standard toothbrush.

Laboratory evaluation of plaque removal at interproximal sites by a specially engineered powered toothbrush with unique sensing and control technologies.

OBJECTIVE: This laboratory study compared a specially engineered sonic powered toothbrush with unique sensing and control technologies and having two different brush heads to a manual flat-trim toothbrush for their ability to remove plaque at interproximal sites. METHODS: Interproximal access efficacy (IAE) was measured as the maximum width of plaque removed from the artificial plaque substrate around the teeth. Six brushes of each product were tested four times for a total of 24 tests. Results from these tests were statistically analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). A post hoc Tukey test for pair-wise comparisons, with a minimum significance level of 0.05, was used to identify significant mean differences between the test products. RESULTS: Relative to the manual flat-trim toothbrush, the sonic powered toothbrush, equipped with either the Triple Clean or Sensitive refill brush head, had statistically significantly higher IAE means (p < 0.001). In addition, when equipped with the Sensitive refill brush head, the new sonic powered toothbrush showed increased efficiencies compared to when it was equipped with the Triple Clean brush head with respect to IAE means. CONCLUSION: The specially engineered sonic powered toothbrush with unique sensing and control technologies had higher interproximal access efficacy compared to a manual flat-trim toothbrush, particularly with the Sensitive brush head.

Laboratory efficacy of three compact toothbrushes to reduce artificial plaque in hard to reach areas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of three toothbrushes [GUM Summit+Compact Head, GUM Technique Deep Clean Compact Head, and Oral-B Indicator 35 (compact head)] on plaque reduction in difficult to reach areas: interproximal sites (Interproximal Access Efficacy, IAE), the gingival margin (Gingival Margin Cleaning, GMC) and under the gumline (Subgingival Access Efficacy, SAE). METHODS: Six toothbrushes from each product group were randomly tested four times for a total of 24 tests on each toothbrush design. In the IAE studies, toothbrushing was conducted for 15 seconds using horizontal and vertical brushing motions, simulated anterior and posterior teeth and a brushing pressure of 250 g. IAE was recorded as the maximum width of artificial plaque removed. In the GMC and SAE assays, the toothbrush to be tested was aligned with the papillae of artificial gingiva placed over simulated posterior teeth and brushing was conducted for 15 seconds using horizontal brushing and a brushing pressure of 500 g. The GMC efficacy was recorded as the maximum length of artificial plaque removed at the gingival margin. The maximum depth of the plaque substrate removed under the gingiva was recorded as the SAE. Significant mean differences between the toothbrushes were determined using ANOVA and Tukey's test for pairwise comparisons with a significance level of P<0.05. RESULTS: In all three assays conducted, the GUM Summit+Compact Head and GUM Technique Deep Clean Compact Head toothbrushes had significantly higher efficacy means compared to the Oral-B Indicator 35 (compact head) toothbrush. There was no significant difference in efficacy between the GUM Summit+Compact Head and GUM Technique Deep Clean Compact Head toothbrushes in the testing performed.

Interproximal access efficacy of one vibrating and two powered oscillating-rotating toothbrushes.

OBJECTIVE: A new toothbrush, with elongated fine bristles and a vibrating bristle field, has been designed and developed. In this study, the new product was compared to two commercially available powered, oscillating-rotating toothbrushes for efficacy using a laboratory method that has been predictive of clinical plaque removal. METHODS: Interproximal access efficacy (IAE) is a measure of the ability of toothbrush bristles to access interproximal sites and remove simulated plaque from these areas. In this assay, an artificial plaque-covered pressure-sensitive substrate was placed around anterior- and posterior-shaped teeth, and tooth brushing was conducted using both horizontal and vertical brushing motions. Three toothbrushes were evaluated: the new toothbrush, Aquafresh Between Teeth Buzz (also marketed as Dr.BEST Vibration Zwischenzahn) and two powered toothbrushes with oscillating-rotating brush heads (Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean and Oral-B Professional Care 6000). Twenty-four tests on each product group were conducted, and results for all brushing comparisons were statistically analyzed using Tukey's test for pair-wise comparisons, with a significance level of alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: In all tests conducted, the Aquafresh Between Teeth Buzz toothbrush was consistently and statistically superior to the Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean and Oral-B Professional Care 6000 products (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The new toothbrush tested had significantly higher overall efficacy in the IAE assay compared to two marketed powered products. Based on the demonstrated efficacy and the predictability of this laboratory IAE assay, the new toothbrush should provide effective cleansing of the dental interproximal sites.

Laboratory evaluations of a bi-level, extremely tapered bristled toothbrush and a conventional uniform bristled toothbrush.

PURPOSE: To compare a uniquely shaped tapered-bristle manual toothbrush to a toothbrush with bristles uniform in height and diameter for the ability to remove artificial plaque deposits in areas of the mouth that are difficult to access; interproximal areas, the gingival margin and subgingival. METHODS: This study compared a GUM Summit+ Compact toothbrush featuring extremely tapered bristles and conventional bristle ends in a bi-level design. The upper, longest tapered bristles have the final 6 mm tapered to 0.01 diameter mm at the end. The conventional rounded end bristles have less than 0.5 mm tapered down to 0.02 mm diameter. The comparison manual toothbrush (Oral-B 40 Indicator) has bristles that are uniform in height and diameter. Interproximal access efficacy was evaluated using a pressure-sensitive artificial plaque substrate placed around simulated anterior and posterior teeth. Subgingival access and gingival margin cleaning were determined by using simulated gingiva prepared with a 0.2 mm space between the gingiva and the artificial plaque substrate on tooth surfaces and results were recorded as the artificial plaque removed below the gingiva or around the gingival margin. RESULTS: Interproximal access values were significantly (P < 0.001) higher for the GUM Summit+ Compact than for the Oral-B 40 Indicator. The mean value for gingival margin cleaning efficacy of the GUM Summit+ Compact was significantly (P < 0.001) superior compared to the Oral-B 40 Indicator. The Gum Summit + Compact had a significantly superior subgingival access (P < 0.001) mean value when compared to the Oral-B 40 Indicator. In this laboratory study, the GUM Summit+ Compact toothbrush was statistically significantly more effective for removing plaque from the interproximal areas, at the gingival margin and subgingivally than the Oral-B 40 Indicator toothbrush.

Efficacy and safety of BrushPicks, a new cleaning aid, compared to the use of Glide floss.

The objective of this double-blind, four-week clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of BrushPicks, a new cleaning aid, and Glide floss on the reduction of plaque area, gingivitis and bleeding on probing, and to monitor safety when these products were used in addition to toothbrushing with an ADA-Accepted toothbrush (Oral-B P35) and an ADA-Accepted fluoride-containing dentifrice (Crest Regular). No special instructions on or supervision of product use was conducted, other than requesting twice-a-day (morning and evening) use of the assigned products. Following a baseline examination, 63 qualifying adult male and female subjects from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area were randomized into two groups. Subjects were also told to use their assigned dental aid after each toothbrushing. Examinations for efficacy and safety were repeated after two and four weeks' use of the products. Sixty-two subjects completed all aspects of the study. There were no untoward side effects attributed to product use, reported or observed, at the two- or four-week examination times. At baseline, there were no significant differences in plaque, gingivitis or bleeding on probing mean scores between the BrushPicks and Glide floss groups. At the two- and four-week evaluation times, both the BrushPicks and Glide floss had numerically lower plaque scores compared to baseline levels. The only statistically significant reduction (p < 0.01) was in the BrushPicks group, comparing the week two mean with the baseline value. Gingivitis (GI) at four weeks was statistically (p < 0.05) lower in the BrushPicks group as compared to the Glide floss mean value. When the changes in scores from baseline to two weeks and to four weeks were assessed, the mean GI score for the Glide floss group was significantly lower at two weeks (p < 0.01) compared to baseline, and also from two weeks to four weeks (p < 0.001). The change in mean GI score for the Glide floss group from baseline to four weeks was also significant statistically (p < 0.001). When the changes in mean GI scores for the BrushPicks group were assessed, there was a significant decrease from baseline to two weeks (p < 0.001), from two weeks to four weeks (p < 0.001), and from baseline to four weeks (p < 0.001). For bleeding on probing, when the baseline to two- and four-week mean values were compared, only the BrushPicks produced significant (p < 0.001) decreases. At two and four weeks, the BrushPicks group mean bleeding on probing scores were significantly (p < 0.05-0.01) lower than the Glide floss group scores. At the end of this four-week study, the BrushPicks product was significantly more effective than Glide floss in the reduction of gingivitis and bleeding on probing, important attributes of soft-tissue health.

Laboratory evaluations of two battery-powered toothbrushes and a manual toothbrush for efficacy and safety.

Two laboratory testing procedures, predictive of clinical efficacy and safety, have been used to evaluate two battery-powered toothbrushes (a new prototype, Crest SpinBrush Pro and a commercially available product, Crest SpinBrush) and a standard manual toothbrush (Oral-B Indicator). Interproximal access efficacy (IAE) and depth of deposit removal (DDR) have been evaluated in laboratory methods using pressure-sensitive paper placed around simulated anterior and posterior teeth at a brushing pressure of 250 g with horizontal or vertical brushing motions. Twenty-four tests on each toothbrush design were conducted, and results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and the post hoc Tukey test. Both of the battery-powered toothbrushes had a significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean overall IAE value compared to the Oral-B Indicator product. The Crest SpinBrush Pro was significantly statistically higher (p < 0.05) compared to the Crest SpinBrush for mean overall IAE (access to interproximal spaces). On overall DDR, both of the powered toothbrushes had a significantly (p < 0.05-0.001) lower mean overall value compared to the Oral-B Indicator toothbrush (higher mean indicates higher irritation potential). Based on these results, both the new prototype Crest SpinBrush Pro and the commercially available Crest SpinBrush are predicted to be more effective clinically for plaque removal, and at least as safe on hard and soft intraoral tissues as the standard manual toothbrush (Oral-B Indicator) tested. In addition, the results support that the new prototype Crest SpinBrush Pro is more effective than the Crest SpinBrush with respect to IAE and predicted plaque removal.