Cleaning performance of electric toothbrushes around brackets applying different brushing forces: an in-vitro study

Throughout treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances, effective plaque control is crucial to maintaining dental health. This in-vitro study evaluated the cleaning performance of eleven different brush heads of seven electric toothbrushes (oscillating-rotating and sonic motions) and varying brushing forces around orthodontic brackets. Six Mini Diamond ® Twin brackets were placed on black-stained front teeth. Teeth were coated with white titanium oxide and brushed in a machine six times for one minute with two different brushing forces (1 N and 1.5 N). Eleven different brush heads were evaluated (either oscillating-rotating or sonic movements). The teeth were scanned and planimetrically evaluated after brushing. Three detailed plaque areas (DPAs) were created: proximal ( 2 mm to bracket). The proportion of contaminated proximal, mid-tier, and distant surfaces (white regions) in relation to the respective DPA was calculated. Independent of brushing forces, places with a higher distance (> 2 mm) to the orthodontic bracket had the least amount of residual contamination, followed by areas with a minor (1–2 mm) and proximal distance (