PLAQUE REMOVAL EFFICACY OF MANUAL TOOTHBRUSH WITH MICROPULSE BRISTLES

Abstract

The objective of this in vivo study was to compare the plaque removal efficacy of manual toothbrush with micropulse bristles against conventional manual toothbrush and manual toothbrush followed by dental floss. Subjects were 12 healthy volunteers aged 20-21 years who were asked to abstain from all oral hygiene procedures for 24 hours. Dental plaque disclosing solution was applied (MIRA-2-TON, Hager Werken). Plaque was evaluated then using the Rustogi Modified Navy Index with which the facial and the lingual surfaces of the teeth were divided into 9 unequal areas accordingly. The clinical procedures were repeated before and after 2 minutes of toothbrushing with manual toothbrush only (Colgate 3600) and with manual toothbrush followed by dental floss (Satin Tape, Oral-B) and with manual toothbrush with micropulse bristles (Oral-B Pulsar, Oral-B). One examiner, blinded to the treatment sequences, performed all clinical measurements. The manual toothbrush removed 45% of the disto-proximal, 38% of the mesio-proximal plaque and 38% of the gingival plaque while, disto-proximal plaque, mesio-proximal plaque and gingival plaque were removed by manual toothbrush with dental floss in 64%, 48% and 51% respectively. Manual toothbrush with micropulse bristles reduced 81% of disto-proximal plaque, 61% of mesio-proximal plaque and 70% gingival plaque. Manual toothbrush with micropulse bristles has the highest rate in plaque removal in most areas and manual toothbrush followed by dental floss seems more effective than manual toothbrush alone.