Gingival cell proliferation induced by use of a sonic toothbrush with warmed silicone rubber bristles.
BACKGROUND
Toothbrushing promotes gingival cell proliferation, which may occur as the result of the physical stimulation of the gingiva. The present study evaluated the effects of temperature and silicone rubber bristles of a sonic toothbrush on gingival cell proliferation in dogs.


METHODS
During the 5-week experimental period, one quadrant in each of eight dogs received a different toothbrushing regimen: a manual toothbrush or a sonic toothbrush with 1) nylon, 2) silicone rubber, or 3) warmed silicone rubber bristles. The proliferative activity of gingival cells was evaluated based on expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).


RESULTS
Use of the sonic toothbrushes produced a higher density of PCNA-positive and total fibroblasts than did use of a manual toothbrush. The warm silicone rubber bristles resulted in a higher density of PCNA-positive fibroblasts compared with the cooler silicone rubber bristle. The number of PCNA-positive basal cells in the junctional epithelium also increased following electric toothbrushing with warmed silicone rubber bristles.


CONCLUSIONS
The sonic toothbrush with silicone rubber bristles induced gingival fibroblast proliferation to a greater degree than a manual toothbrush. Warming the silicone rubber bristles increased their stimulatory effects on the proliferative activity of gingival cells.
Tomofuji
Takaaki
T
Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Chonbuk National University, Chonbuk, Korea.
Kusano
Hiroki
H
Azuma
Tetsuji
T
Ekuni
Daisuke
D
Yamamoto
Tatsuo
T
Watanabe
Tatsuo
T
Kishimoto
Takashi
T
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004285:Dogs; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006358:Hot Temperature; D009757:Nylons; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation
D009757:Nylons; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D012826:Silicone Elastomers