Comparison on the Effects of Oral Hygiene Using the Different Toothbrush in the Gingival Recession Models

The present study was undertaken to assess the cleansing effects of a new type of electric tooth-brush (a counter-rotating, compact type). Three toothbrushes were tested: (1) Interplak, a conventional counter-rotating, 2-row, 10-line elec-tric toothbrush, (2) new Interplak, counter-rotating, 2-row, 6-line electric toothbrush, and (3) GUM # 211, a manual toothbrush. Two models of gingival recession were used: (1) the 1.5mm recession model, and (2) the 3.0mm recession model. A normal gingival margin model was also used. When the electric toothbrush was used, each tooth surface was brushed for 15 seconds, with the brush maintained at a right angle to the tooth surface. When the manual toothbrush was used, each surface was brushed for 15 strokes using the scrubbing method. Brushing pressures were measured using a pressure measuring device. This measurement was repeated 5 times for each model using a con-stant 250g pressure. To calculate the artificial plaque removal rate, a standard photographic appa-ratus, taken from the buccal, lingual, mesial and distal sides, were fed into a computer via a scanner, and the area occupied by residual plaque was measured on NIH images. The data were analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA. The plaque removal rate for the normal gingival margin model and the 1.5mm recession model was high, in the order of conventional electric tooth-brush>new electric toothbrush>manual tooth-brush. The plaque removal rate for the 3.0mm recession model was high, in the order of conven-tional electric toothbrush>manual toothbrush> new electric toothbrush. The plaque removal rate for the proximal surfaces of molars in the recession models was higher with the new electric toothbrush than with either of the other two toothbrush.