The Pellicle Cleaning Ratio of Three Manual Toothbrushes With Different Filaments

Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the Pellicle Cleaning Ratio (PCR) of three manual toothbrushes with different filaments-types compared to the standard ADA toothbrush.
Methods: 48 bovine enamel specimens with a diameter of 5 mm (n = 12 for each treatment group) were used for this study. To generate discoloration, the specimens were polished and thereafter stored in human saliva for 2 min, 4 min in 0.2% chlorhexidine and 4 min in black tea (3g in 100ml-1 water at 50°C) and left dry until the next cycle. After saliva and chlorhexidine exposition, the specimens were placed in distilled water for 30 sec. This cycle was repeated eight times per hour. Specimens were brushed for 800 strokes at a 1.5N load. All treatments were performed on an automatic brushing machine using toothbrush slurry (Elmex, CP Gaba GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) and the manual toothbrushes. The three manual toothbrushes including heads were of the same dimension and showed differences only in the filaments: C:with Charcoal, W:whitening toothbrush, with diamonds in filaments and S:standard toothbrush. Specimens’ colors (L indicates light / dark) were evaluated using a Chroma Meter (ShadeEye NCC, Shofu Inc. Kyoto, Japan) before, after discoloration, and after brushing. Specimens’ treatment effects were assessed and relative efficacy compared to the reference ADA-toothbrush was calculated. Data analysis was accomplished using the ANOVA-Test with post hoc Bonferroni corrections (p<0.05).
Results: The mean (standard deviation) of PCR value was 128.01(8.34) for C; 134.55(5.83) for W and 79.46(5.70) for S. No statistically significant differences were found between C and W, however C and W were found to be more effective than S.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the employed modified Stookey method revealed that the Charcoal and whitening toothbrushes were equally more effective in stain removal than the standard toothbrush.