Cecilia P Turssi1, Adam B Kelly2, Anderson T Hara3. 1. Division of Cariology and Restorative Dentistry, São Leopoldo Mandic Research Institute, R. Dr. José Rocha Junqueira, 13, Campinas, 13045-755, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: cecilia.turssi@slmandic.edu.br. 2. Erosive Tooth Wear Laboratory Supervisor, Oral Health Research Institute, Indiana University School of Dentistry, USA. Electronic address: abkelly@iu.edu. 3. Department of Cariology, Operative Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN, USA. Electronic address: ahara@iu.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of toothbrush bristle configuration and brushing load on the development of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs). METHODS: Human premolars were mounted on acrylic blocks and had their root surfaces partially covered with acrylic resin to simulate gingiva, leaving a 2-mm length area apical to the cemento-enamel junction exposed for brushing. The teeth were brushed under 1- or 3 N load with one of the following toothbrushes (n = 16): a) ordinary/flat-trimmed (Oral-B Indicator); b) rippled (Oral-B Contour); c) cross-angled/multileveled/rubber bristles (Oral-B Pro-Health All-in-One); d) cross-angled/multileveled/flex head (Oral-B Pro-Flex); e) feathered (Oral-B Compact Clean). Brushing was performed using toothpaste slurry (Crest Cavity Protection) for 55,000 double-strokes in back-and-forth motion, to simulate 10 years of brushing. Impressions were taken at baseline and after brushing and scanned by a 3D optical profilometer. The lesions formed were evaluated for volume loss, angle, and shape. RESULTS: The ordinary/flat-trimmed toothbrush caused significantly higher volume loss (3.81 mm3) in comparison to the other toothbrushes (2.56-2.92 mm3). The toothbrush having rubber bristles was associated with NCCLs showing the smallest angle and, along with the rippled toothbrush (53.1%), provoked higher proportion of wedge-shaped lesions (43.8%), whereas teeth brushed with the feathered toothbrush exhibited the lowest prevalence of wedge-shaped lesions (3.1%). The 1- and 3 N load applied during brushing affected neither volume loss nor lesion angle. CONCLUSIONS: At the brushing loads tested, the development of NCCLs was dependent on toothbrush bristle configuration, with the ordinary/flat-trimmed version causing the highest abrasion and the feathered toothbrush the least proportion of wedge-shaped lesions. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Toothbrush bristle arrangement plays a role in NCCL development, with the ordinary/flat-trimmed version being more abrasive and the feathered toothbrush causing less wedge-shaped lesions.
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of toothbrush bristle configuration and brushing load on the development of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs). METHODS:Human premolars were mounted on acrylic blocks and had their root surfaces partially covered with acrylic resin to simulate gingiva, leaving a 2-mm length area apical to the cemento-enamel junction exposed for brushing. The teeth were brushed under 1- or 3 N load with one of the following toothbrushes (n = 16): a) ordinary/flat-trimmed (Oral-B Indicator); b) rippled (Oral-B Contour); c) cross-angled/multileveled/rubber bristles (Oral-B Pro-Health All-in-One); d) cross-angled/multileveled/flex head (Oral-B Pro-Flex); e) feathered (Oral-B Compact Clean). Brushing was performed using toothpaste slurry (Crest Cavity Protection) for 55,000 double-strokes in back-and-forth motion, to simulate 10 years of brushing. Impressions were taken at baseline and after brushing and scanned by a 3D optical profilometer. The lesions formed were evaluated for volume loss, angle, and shape. RESULTS: The ordinary/flat-trimmed toothbrush caused significantly higher volume loss (3.81 mm3) in comparison to the other toothbrushes (2.56-2.92 mm3). The toothbrush having rubber bristles was associated with NCCLs showing the smallest angle and, along with the rippled toothbrush (53.1%), provoked higher proportion of wedge-shaped lesions (43.8%), whereas teeth brushed with the feathered toothbrush exhibited the lowest prevalence of wedge-shaped lesions (3.1%). The 1- and 3 N load applied during brushing affected neither volume loss nor lesion angle. CONCLUSIONS: At the brushing loads tested, the development of NCCLs was dependent on toothbrush bristle configuration, with the ordinary/flat-trimmed version causing the highest abrasion and the feathered toothbrush the least proportion of wedge-shaped lesions. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Toothbrush bristle arrangement plays a role in NCCL development, with the ordinary/flat-trimmed version being more abrasive and the feathered toothbrush causing less wedge-shaped lesions.