Laboratory evaluations of a bi-level, extremely tapered bristled toothbrush and a conventional uniform bristled toothbrush.

PURPOSE: To compare a uniquely shaped tapered-bristle manual toothbrush to a toothbrush with bristles uniform in height and diameter for the ability to remove artificial plaque deposits in areas of the mouth that are difficult to access; interproximal areas, the gingival margin and subgingival.

METHODS

This study compared a GUM Summit+ Compact toothbrush featuring extremely tapered bristles and conventional bristle ends in a bi-level design. The upper, longest tapered bristles have the final 6 mm tapered to 0.01 diameter mm at the end. The conventional rounded end bristles have less than 0.5 mm tapered down to 0.02 mm diameter. The comparison manual toothbrush (Oral-B 40 Indicator) has bristles that are uniform in height and diameter. Interproximal access efficacy was evaluated using a pressure-sensitive artificial plaque substrate placed around simulated anterior and posterior teeth. Subgingival access and gingival margin cleaning were determined by using simulated gingiva prepared with a 0.2 mm space between the gingiva and the artificial plaque substrate on tooth surfaces and results were recorded as the artificial plaque removed below the gingiva or around the gingival margin.

RESULTS

Interproximal access values were significantly (P < 0.001) higher for the GUM Summit+ Compact than for the Oral-B 40 Indicator. The mean value for gingival margin cleaning efficacy of the GUM Summit+ Compact was significantly (P < 0.001) superior compared to the Oral-B 40 Indicator. The Gum Summit + Compact had a significantly superior subgingival access (P < 0.001) mean value when compared to the Oral-B 40 Indicator. In this laboratory study, the GUM Summit+ Compact toothbrush was statistically significantly more effective for removing plaque from the interproximal areas, at the gingival margin and subgingivally than the Oral-B 40 Indicator toothbrush.