title: Comparison of the interproximal plaque removal efficacy of two powered toothbrushes using in vitro oral biofilms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of interproximal plaque removal beyond the bristles by two electric toothbrushes, the new Sonicare Elite and Braun Oral-B 3D, in an in vitro model replicating the brushing of interproximal plaque as would occur in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oral biofilms were grown, in vitro, in a constant-depth film fermenter on a hydroxyapatite (HA) disc substratum. Brushing experiments were conducted in a brushing machine representing the brushing of interproximal plaque between mandibular molars. The HA discs with oral biofilms were located a minimum of 1.6 mm away from the bristles. The efficacy of plaque removal was assessed by enumeration of the percentage of viable bacteria removed from the biofilms by 5 seconds of brushing with the brush motors either activated or inactivated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the activated state, both brushes removed a significantly higher percentage of plaque bacteria compared to the inactive brushes (Braun, P = 0.002; Sonicare, P = 0.005). The percentage of plaque bacteria removed by the Sonicare Elite (32.23%) beyond the bristles was significantly greater (P = 0.012) than that removed by the Braun Oral-B 3D (9.48%) in this model system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Healthcare Sciences, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Hope
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018441:Biofilms; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017886:Durapatite; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D012212:Rheology; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013010:Sonication / Q000295:instrumentation; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013499:Surface Properties; D014070:Tooth / Q000382:microbiology*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017886:Durapatite