THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAUN ORAL-B ULTRA PLAQUE REMOVER - AN IN-VITRO ROBOT STUDY

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of a new brush head design and brushin g action using a novel robot system which simulates normal clinical to othbrush use. The system allows developments in toothbrush design to b e assessed prior to embarking on expensive and time consuming clinical trials. Materials and Methods: Using this system, the efficacy of a n ew brush head design combined with a modified brushing speed, was comp ared with the clinically established Braun Oral-B Plaque Remover (D7 h andle and EB5 brush head). Results: A combination of a new brush head (EB9) with longer tufts of bristles designed to improve interdental pe netration, and an increased frequency of bristle movement (63Hz, 3,800 strokes per minute - D9 handle) was associated with significantly gre ater removal of artificial plaque. Visual observation of typodonts sug gested that this increased efficacy is related to greater removal of p laque from interdental surfaces and occlusal fissures. These results s uggest that the D9/EB9 prototype electric toothbrush is suitable for f urther investigation and clinical evaluation.