Bristle splaying and abrasive potential of different toothbrushes on the enamel and resin composite after brushing simulation.

Abstract

Background: Correct oral physiotherapy using toothbrushes is essential for mechanically removing biofilms to reduce caries and periodontal disease, but ideal toothbrush parameters have not yet been fully defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bristle splaying and abrasive potential of different toothbrushes on enamel and resin composites after simulated brushing for 30, 90, and 180 days.

Material and methods: Seventy bovine flat tooth crowns containing a circular cavity on the enamel were restored using a resin composite (Forma, Ultradent) and brushed for 30, 90, and 180 days using seven toothbrushes (n = 10): Colorcare (Bianco Oral Care), Delicare (Bianco), Carbon-Magnetherapy (Bianco Oral Care), SlimSoft Advanced (Colgate), Pro Cuidado (Colgate), Curaprox CS5460 (Curaden), and Curaprox CS3960 (Curaden). The enamel and resin composite surface roughness (Ra) were evaluated at baseline and after brushing. The wear index and wear rate were evaluated using macrophotography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measurement analysis of variance and Kruskal Wallis followed by Tukey's and Duns tests (α = 0.05).

Results: The Ra of the resin composite significantly increased after 30 (using SlimSoft), 90 (using SlimSoft, Pro Cuidado, and Carbon), and 180 days (using Colgate Pro Cuidado and CS3960; P< 0.001). The Ra of enamel increased significantly after 90 days of using Pro Cuidado, and 180 days using Pro Cuidado and CS5460. Carbon exhibited the highest wear index variation.

Conclusions: CS5460, Carbon, and SlimSoft exhibited higher bristle volumes, narrow filament diameters, and higher wear rates and wear indices with lower Ra alterations. The Ra of the resin composite after 180 days was significantly higher for Pro Cuidado and CS3960. Enamel Ra was significantly higher in Pro Cuidado. Key words:Toothbrushing, dental abrasion, composite resins.