Abstract
This study was performed to develop a intraoral telemetry system of measuring toothbrushing pressure applied to tooth surface and to investigate relationship between toothbrushing pressure and plaque removal. Two sequential experiments were carried out in this study as follows.
In the first experiment, a microtransducer constructed in a pontic of temporary resin bridge was used to determine the brushing pressure exerted on the buccal surface of the upper pontic of first molar.
Five different kinds of toothbrushing method (Scrubbing, Rolling, Fones, Horizontal and Vertical) were carried out using soft, medium and hard toothbrushes. The buccal surface of pontic of maxillary first molar of the plastic jow model was brushed by ten subjects, and then the toothbrushing pressures were measured. Next, the toothbrushing pressures applied to the buccal surface of pontic of maxillary first molar were determined for three subjects. Significantly greater mean brushing pressures were obtained during every brushing procedure as increasing a diameter of toothburush bristle for Scrubbing (mean 1243g/cm2) and Fones (846g/cm2).
In the second experiment the relationship between toothbrushing pressure and plaque removal was investigated on Scrubbing and Rolling. A micro transducer was constructed within an acrylic stent suitable for placement between the subjects teeth, maxillary right second premolar and first molar. Three kinds of toothbrushes which differ in diameter were used twelve subjects participated in this experiment. It was revealed that hard brush was more effective for plaque removal and that brushing pressure had a tendency to show higher value for Scrubbing (74%) and Rolling (70%).
