Combined effect of end-rounded versus tapered bristles and a dentifrice on plaque removal and gingival abrasion

Abstract

Combined effect of end-rounded versus tapered bristles and a dentifrice on plaque removal and gingival abrasion Abstract: Two previous clinical studies evaluated the effect of end-rounded versus tapered bristles of soft manual brushes on the removal of plaque and gingival abrasion. However, the combined effect of an abrasive dentifrice on these outcomes has yet to be understood. The purpose of the present study was to compare the incidence of gingival abrasion and the degree of plaque removal obtained after the use of toothbrushes with tapered or end-rounded bristles in the presence or absence of an abrasive dentifrice. The study involved a randomized, single-blind, crossover model (n = 39) with a split-mouth design. Subjects were instructed to refrain from performing oral hygiene procedures for 72 hours. Quadrants were randomized and subjects brushed with both types of toothbrushes using a dentifrice (relative dentin abrasion = ± 160). Plaque and gingival abrasion were assessed before and after brushing. After 7 days, the experiment was repeated without the dentifrice. The average reduction in plaque scores and the average increase in the number of abrasion sites were assessed by repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni's post-hoc tests. End-rounded bristles removed significantly more plaque than tapered bristles, regardless of the use of a dentifrice. The dentifrice did not improve plaque removal. In the marginal area (cervical free gingiva), no difference in the incidence of gingival abrasion was detected between toothbrush types when used with a dentifrice (p ≥ 0.05). However, the dentifrice increased the incidence of abrasion (p < 0.001), irrespective of the toothbrush type tested. End-rounded bristles therefore removed plaque more effectively without causing a higher incidence of gingival abrasion when compared with tapered bristles. An abrasive dentifrice can increase the incidence of abrasion, and should be used with caution by individuals who are at risk of developing gingival recession.

Does dentifrice use help to remove plaque? A systematic review

“…Eid & Talic () included subjects with mild gingivitis and Caporossi et al. () subjects with a maximum of 15% of sites with gingival bleeding. In all of the studies, the subjects had at least 20 teeth.…”

“…() and Caporossi et al. (), reported the smoking status of the included participants; consequently, this factor could not be further analysed in this review. The study populations in the studies performed by Zanatta et al.…”

The effect of tapered toothbrush filaments compared to end‐rounded filaments on dental plaque, gingivitis and gingival abrasion: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…The databases searches resulted in 33 unique papers (for details, see Figure ). The screening of titles and abstracts resulted in six papers that were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review according to defined criteria for study design, participants, intervention and outcome. Hand searching of the reference lists did reveal one additional suitable paper by Checchi et al .…”

A Bristle-Less Tooth Brush Reduces Recession Risk Over One Year Compared to a Conventional Soft Manual Brush

“…In contrast, using the bristle-less brush most likely prevents gingival abrasion immediately for lack of bristles, and regrowth of the gingival margin as there is no abrasion taking place. The effect of marginal regrowth was also likely amplified by the use of a dentifrice with known low abrasivity as abrasive dentifrices can enhance gingival abrasion [15], and the subjects had not used this type of dentifrice before.…”