title: Effect of sonic vibration of an ultrasonic toothbrush on the removal of Streptococcus mutans biofilm from enamel surface.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate in vitro the effect of sonic vibration of an ultrasonic toothbrush in the removal of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm from human enamel.
  
  
  METHODS
  S. mutans dental biofilm was formed in vitro on human enamel blocks coated by salivary pellicle. The blocks were incubated with a suspension of S. mutans at 37°C for 24 or 72 hours. The blocks were divided to one of three conditions according to the different toothbrush action modes: ultrasound plus sonic vibration (U+SV), ultrasound-only (U) and no ultrasound and no sonic vibration (control). Samples were exposed to each mode for 3 minutes with the toothbrush bristles placed 5 mm away from the enamel block surface. The samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantification of S. mutans was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  U+SV showed lower bacterial counts compared to U and control on the 72 hour-biofilm (P < 0.05). The SEM analysis revealed that U+SV and U disrupted the S. mutans chains in the 24- and 72-hour biofilm.
authors: Lina Naomi
authors: LN
authors: Hashizume
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Dariva
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D058491:Bacterial Load; D018441:Biofilms; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000382:microbiology*; D044622:Dental Pellicle / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013010:Sonication; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*