A laboratory comparison of the efficacy of battery-operated, non-rechargeable power toothbrushes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cleaning efficacy of three battery-operated, non-rechargeable, oscillating/rotating power toothbrushes, using a robot system to simulate normal clinical toothbrush use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study compared the cleaning efficacy of the new Braun Oral-B D4/EB4 with the Actibrush and the Dr. Best Powerclean in two independent experiments. Plaque substitute was applied to the artificial teeth of typodonts, which were cleaned by the robot system for a total of 2 minutes at a brushing force of 1.95 N. The remaining plaque substitute on buccal + lingual/palatal and occlusal surfaces, as well as gingival margin and interproximal sites, was measured using a computerized vision system. RESULTS: The new D4/EB4 was found to remove more plaque substitute than the Actibrush at all sites, and for all surfaces, lingual surfaces and occlusal surfaces the difference in favor of the D4/EB4 was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In comparison with the Powerclean toothbrush, the D4/EB4 was significantly more effective at all sites (P < 0.001). These results indicate that not all battery-operated oscillating/rotating power toothbrushes have equal efficacy with respect to plaque removal and that, in this series of laboratory experiments, the Braun Oral-B D4/EB4 was more effective than the Actibrush and the Dr. Best Powerclean.

A laboratory and clinical investigation comparing 2 oscillating/rotating electric toothbrushes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of plaque removal by 2 different toothbrushes in a laboratory model and in a clinical study. METHOD: The 2 brushes used were the Philips/Jordan HP 735 and the Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover (D9). Both were compared in a laboratory study (using a robot system) and a short-term clinical study. For the laboratory study, plaque substitute was applied to the artificial teeth of ten typodonts, which were cleaned by a robot for 2 min. The remaining plaque substitute was measured on buccal and lingual/palatal surfaces, as well as gumline and interproximal sites, using a computerized vision system. The clinical study included 23 non-dental students. All subjects received a single oral prophylaxis and were asked not to brush their teeth for 48 h prior to their appointment. After the amount of plaque had been evaluated at 6 sites per tooth, subjects brushed in a random split-mouth order with the 2 electric toothbrushes, after which the amount of plaque was re-evaluated. RESULTS: The results of the laboratory study showed that, for all surfaces combined, the mean removal of plaque substitute for both brushes was the same. However, at the vestibular and the approximal vestibular surfaces, the reduction in plaque substitute was significantly higher (p<0.01) with the Braun toothbrush compared to the Philips. In the clinical study, the mean overall plaque reduction for the Braun toothbrush (74%) was significantly higher than for the Philips (66%). Further analysis revealed that the significant difference in favour of the Braun brush was mainly due to plaque removal from the approximal vestibular and the approximal lingual sites. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, both the laboratory and clinical study show that the Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover (D9) is more effective than the Philips/Jordan HP 735. Both study models indicate that this difference is greatest on the approximal vestibular surfaces.

Cleaning efficacy of a new electric toothbrush.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cleaning efficacy of a new electric toothbrush and new brush head design, using a robot system to simulate normal clinical toothbrush use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study compared the new oscillating/rotating/pulsating electric toothbrush (Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover) comprised of the D15 handle and new EB15 brush head, with the clinically established oscillating/rotating electric toothbrush (Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover-D9) and brush head (EB9). Plaque substitute was applied to the artificial teeth of typodonts, which were cleaned by the robot system for 2 minutes. The remaining plaque substitute was measured for buccal + lingual/palatal and occlusal surfaces, as well as gumline and interproximal sites using a computerized vision system. RESULTS: The new D15/EB15 combination was found to be significantly more effective than the D9/EB9 combination in removing plaque substitute at all surfaces combined and all specific sites (P < 0.001). These results show that the new toothbrush which features an additional pulsating motion (D15), combined with the new brush head design (EB15), offer improved efficacy in comparison with the established oscillating/rotating combination (D9/EB9).

A robot system for evaluating plaque removal efficiency of toothbrushes in vitro.

A robot system simulating three-dimensional brushing motions as a function of time has been developed. In association with a typodont and either artificial plaque or chromogenic stain, the robot system can be used to assess the plaque removal efficiency or the cleaning effectiveness of toothbrushes. In particular, the influence of different brush head designs of powered toothbrushes was examined. The study compared the plaque removal efficiency of a cup-shaped brush head (Braun Oral-B EB 5) and a modified brush head (Braun Oral-B EB 9) that incorporates longer filaments on the outer ring, designed for additional interdental penetration. A specially designed artificial plaque was applied to the plastic teeth of typodonts. Artificial teeth were cleaned by the robot system for a 2-minute period with a wet brush head without a dentifrice. The remaining plaque was assessed visually by two independent examiners, with a modification of the global Plaque Index. In comparison to the EB 5, the new brush head significantly reduced artificial plaque overall. In vitro data demonstrated the ability of the robot system to reveal reproducible significant differences of the cleaning effectiveness of powered toothbrushes.

The development of the Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover: an in vitro robot study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of a new brush head design and brushing action using a novel robot system which simulates normal clinical toothbrush use. The system allows developments in toothbrush design to be assessed prior to embarking on expensive and time consuming clinical trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using this system, the efficacy of a new brush head design combined with a modified brushing speed, was compared with the clinically established Braun Oral-B Plaque Remover (D7 handle and EB5 brush head). RESULTS: A combination of a new brush head (EB9) with longer tufts of bristles designed to improve interdental penetration, and an increased frequency of bristle movement (63Hz, 3,800 strokes per minute - D9 handle) was associated with significantly greater removal of artificial plaque. Visual observation of typodonts suggested that this increased efficacy is related to greater removal of plaque from interdental surfaces and occlusal fissures. These results suggest that the D9/EB9 prototype electric toothbrush is suitable for further investigation and clinical evaluation.