Effectiveness of different interdental brushes on cleaning the interproximal surfaces of teeth and implants: a randomized controlled, double-blind cross-over study

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the interproximal cleansing efficacy of the novel, waist-shaped Circum brush (Topcaredent, Switzerland; CB) with that of a straight soft interdental brush (IB) (TePe, Sweden; SB) on posterior surfaces.

Material & methods: Eight patients after completion of initial periodontal therapy abolished oral hygiene for 3 days. Baseline plaque scores (PlI, Silness & Löe ) were assessed on eight surfaces of all premolars and molars. Subsequently, an instructed nurse applied at random one of the two IB, three times per interdental space . Following this, registration of the PlI was repeated by the same blinded examiner. After a 2-week recovery, patients abolished oral hygiene practices for another 3 days. Again, pre-and post-brushing PlI were recorded by the same examiner. The second IB was now applied.

Results: Patient mean PlI and site PlI were evaluated before and after application of the SB or CB respectively. Paired t-tests were performed to yield statistically significant differences. The reduction of biofilm from before to after the use of the IB on a subject basis was highly significant (P < 0.0001). The mean PlI after the use of the CB was significantly lower than after the use of the SB (P < 0.0001). Comparing the PlI of the line angles (MB, ML, DB, DL), significantly more biofilm had been removed by applying CB compared with SB (P < 0.0001). Moreover, comparing the PlI of the buccal (MB, DB) or the lingual line angles (DL, ML) yielded a significantly higher reduction of biofilm in favour of the CB (P < 0.0001). The reduction of the PlI in the mid-interproximal portion, both mesially and distally did not differ significantly between CB and ST. No biofilm reduction was seen on the buccal sites with either IB.

Conclusion: The application of the waist-shaped Circum IB resulted in significantly lower PlI scores than the use of a straight IB. This was predominantly due to the higher cleansing effect of the waist-shaped CB on the buccal and lingual line angles.