A new in vitro method for testing the interproximal cleaning potential of toothbrushing

A new laboratory method was developed and used to evaluate the approximal p enetration of different toothbrushing techniques. Before brushing, the appr oximal surfaces on teeth numbers 33 to 38 were covered by a colored coating . After brushing from both the buccal and lingual sides, the teeth were rem oved and the remaining coatings on the approximal surfaces were photographe d and magnified, and their areas were determined by computerization. Two co nventional toothbrushing techniques and two toothbrushing techniques specia lly designed to enhance interproximal access were used. It was found that c onsiderable areas on the approximal surfaces were left untouched by the too thbrush bristles, regardless of the toothbrushing technique employed. The f indings suggest that improvements in toothbrush design will be a more impor tant contribution to the attainment of effective interproximal brushing tha n the development of new brushing techniques. This test method shares many similarities with in in vivo conditions and seems also well suited for eval uating interproximal cleaning potential of new toothbrushes.