Effect of tapered-end and round-end bristles on the abrasive dentine wear applying increasing brushing forces

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effect of toothbrush bristles end configuration on the abrasive dentine wear at different brushing forces.

Material and methods

One hundred and sixty bovine dentine samples were randomized into eight groups (n = 20). Groups (1 to 4) were brushed with tapered-end bristles at 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-N brushing forces, respectively. Groups (5 to 8) were brushed with round-end bristles with the same brushing forces. The brushing sequence was carried out using an abrasive slurry (RDA = 121) for 25 min. Profiles were recorded using a contact profilometer. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for the abrasive dentine wear in each group. Two-way ANOVA was used to locate any significance. The significance values were corrected after Tukey (α = 0.05).

Results

Brushing with tapered-end bristles resulted in statistically significantly less abrasive dentine wear than round-end bristles regardless of the applied brushing force (1 N: 4.4 ± 1.5 vs. 7.7 ± 2.0 µm; 2 N: 7.7 ± 2.1 vs. 12.2 ± 2.7 µm; 3 N: 11.3 ± 2.6 vs. 19.4 ± 3.7 µm; 4 N: 11.2 ± 2.1 vs. 25.3 ± 4.8 µm). The interaction between bristle configuration and brushing force was statistically significantly (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Tapered-end toothbrushes might be a safer choice for patients, especially when showing signs of non-carious cervical lesion. However, other toothbrush properties should also be considered.