In Vitro Assessment of Different Toothbrush Designs on Enamel Surface Abrasion: A Profilometric Study

 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38152908/

Introduction

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for overall health and wellness. One of the key components of oral hygiene is regular and proper toothbrushing. However, the process of toothbrushing itself can have an impact on the integrity of enamel surfaces, leading to enamel surface abrasion. The design of the toothbrush, including the bristle pattern, can play a role in the degree of abrasion caused. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of three different toothbrush designs on enamel surface abrasion.

Materials and Methods

Sixty intact freshly extracted maxillary central incisors were selected for this study. The teeth were cleaned and all surfaces except the labial surface were severely trimmed. A conventional teeth-whitening dentifrice slurry was used in the trial. A brushing model was created to simulate real-life toothbrushing. The model delivered a uniform force in a unidirectional motion to ensure consistency. The tension of the spring was controlled using a Dontrix Gauge, and the force was maintained at 180 ± 20 grams.

The mounted enamel samples were randomly divided into three groups, with 20 samples in each group. Group A used toothbrushes with a flat trim bristle design, group B used toothbrushes with a zigzag pattern, and group C used toothbrushes with a bi-level bristle design. Each sample was brushed twice daily for 2 minutes, following the recommended brushing technique.

The average surface roughness was measured using a profilometer after toothbrushing. This measurement provided an objective assessment of enamel surface abrasion.

Results

After toothbrushing, the results showed that the maximum mean surface roughness score was found in the zigzag pattern group (2.10 ± 0.23), followed by the bi-level bristle design group (2.06 ± 0.12), and the group with flat trim bristle design had the least surface roughness (1.96 ± 0.09). Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant difference between the different toothbrush bristle pattern groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study found that toothbrushes with a flat trim bristle design cause the least amount of enamel surface abrasion compared to toothbrushes with zigzag patterns and bi-level bristle designs. Therefore, toothbrushes with a flat trim bristle design may be considered relatively safe to use.

Clinical Significance

Toothbrushing with toothpaste is an integral part of oral hygiene. However, it is important to be aware of the potential impact on enamel surface abrasion. Several factors, including toothpaste abrasivity, brushing frequency, brushing length, brushing force, and toothbrush bristle stiffness, can influence the abrasion process. The findings of this study suggest that choosing a toothbrush with a flat trim bristle design may help reduce enamel surface abrasion. Dentists and oral healthcare professionals can use this information to educate patients on proper toothbrush selection and technique to minimize enamel surface damage during toothbrushing.