Influence of the oscillation frequency of different side-to-side toothbrushes on noncontact biofilm removal
Abstract
Objectives
The
objective of this study was to investigate the influence of different
oscillation frequencies of three powered toothbrushes with side-to-side
action for noncontact biofilm removal in an artificial interdental space
model.
Materials and methods
A three-species biofilm (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus sanguinis)
was formed in vitro on protein-coated titanium disks using a flow
chamber system combined with a static biofilm growth model. The
oscillation frequencies of three commercial side-to-side toothbrushes
were evaluated by means of a dose response. The frequency was decreased
in steps (100, 85, 70, 55, and 40%). Subsequently, the biofilm-coated
substrates were exposed to the side-to-side toothbrushes. The biofilm
volumes were measured using volumetric analyses (Imaris 8.1.2) with
confocal laser scanning microscope images (Zeiss LSM700).
Results
Compared
to maximum oscillation frequency (100%), lower oscillation frequencies
(up to 40%) resulted in reduced median percentages of biofilm reduction
(median biofilm reduction up to 53% for maximum oscillation frequency,
and up to 13% for 40% oscillation frequency) (p ≥ 0.03).
In addition, decreasing the oscillation frequencies of the side-to-side
toothbrushes showed an enhanced variety in the results of repeated
experiments.
Conclusions
The oscillation frequency of the tested side-to-side toothbrushes affected the biofilm reduction in an interdental space model.
Clinical relevance
Within
a toothbrush, higher oscillation frequencies may lead to beneficial
effects on interdental biofilm removal by noncontact brushing.
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