Comparative Study between Interdental Brushes : Automatic X Manual "in Vitro"

Objectives: To compare in vitro the performance in the hygienic cleaning of interdental spaces between two interdental brushes, an automatic (EA) and a manual (EM) brush, using a software for digital images. Methods: 22 natural permanent human teeth were chosen (11 anterior and 11 posterior) that were previously clean and sterilized in chemical solutions, then rinsed with distilled water, dryed and immersed on a pool of saliva just collected from adults and elaborated at 37 degrees Celsius. After this period, the teeth were positioned on the model, the biofilm of the proximal dental surface was evidenced and the interdental brushing was realized. The interdental spaces of each tooth (previous and posterior) were photographed, before and after the brushing proccess. Using a software, the percentage of cleanness on the region studied was obtained by the evaluation of the pixels intensity. Results: The data collected was submitted to variance analysis and the test of Tukey (p<0.01). Significant difference between the two techniques was verified statistically, the EM (34.4) determined greater cleanness than the EA (43.5); the previous teeth (34.8) had its interdental spaces cleaner than the posterior ones (42.7). Conclusion: Independent of the brushxs type, automatic or manual, the amount of biofilm before (47.8) and after (29.7) the brushing proccess was significant. The use of any one of the methods favors hygiene, however the manual brush was more efficient on the withdrawal of biofilm.