Abstract
Plaque control is very important to prevent caries and periodontal disease. To remove plaque, brushing is the most effective as a self-care method. It is very difficult to clean the last molar at the back of the oral cavity, and so plaque tends to remain on it after brushing. This is how we realized that a toothbrush needed to reach the last molar and scrub the dental plaque in order to remove it. Then, we developed Clinica Advantage® (AD), with its super-thin head and slim neck.
The purpose of this study was to verify that the newly developed, markedly thin-head and slenderneck toothbrush can reach beyond the last molar and remove plaque effectively compared to the conventional toothbrush, Clinica Flat-cut® (FL). Using the 3D Position Assessment System (3D-PAS), we measured the reach distance between the last molar and toothbrush tip (n=18). As a result, at the distal site, the reach distances of AD and FL were +5.1 and -1.7 mm, and those at the buccal site were -0.7 and -7.3 mm, respectively. At both sites, AD was able to reach significantly farther beyond the last molar more effectively than FL (p<0.05).
We also measured the plaque removal rate with both toothbrushes (n=8). As a result, at the distal site, the plaque removal rates of AD and FL were 25.7 and 19.1% and those at the buccal site were 43.0 and 31.0%, respectively. At both sites, the plaque removal rate of AD was significantly higher than that of FL (p<0.05). As AD has a thin head and slim neck, it is suggested to have the ability to reach beyond the last molar more easily, and the bristies are able to remove the plaque on the last molar.
These results suggest that Clinica Advantage® is highly effective for controlling dental plaque on the last molar.
