Effect of Power Toothbrushing on Simulated Wear of Dental Cement Margins

Abstract

Power toothbrushes (PTBs), in combination with abrasive dentifrices, may encourage wear of dental cements at crown margins.

Purpose.The objective of this in vitro simulation was to control the clinical variables associated with PTB use and measure the potential side effects of PTBs with mild and abrasive dentifrices.

Methods and Materials. Four PTBs (Braun-Oral-B-Professional Care at 150 g brushing force, Sonicare-Elite at 90 g, Colgate-Actibrush at 200 g and Crest-Spinbrush-Pro at 250 g) and 2 dentifrices mixed 1:1 with tap water (Mild= Colgate-Total, Colgate-Palmolive; Abrasive= Close-up, Chesebrough-Ponds) versus tap water alone (control) were used to abrade 2 cements (Fleck’s Mizzy Zinc Phosphate [ZP]; 3M-ESPE Unicem universal cement [UC]) using cement-filled slots (160 m wide) cut into wear-resistant ceramic blocks. A custom fixture controlled PTB/block alignment, PTB loads, and other testing variables. Wear was measured (3 profilometer traces/slot, 5 slots/block/group, baseline to 5-year differences) and analyzed (3-way ANOVA, p ≤ 0.05, Bonferroni)

Results. Wear for ZP was much greater than UC (p<0.05) for all 4 PTBs and both dentifrices. Brushing with water showed no effects (p<0.05). Cement-PTB-dentifrice interactions did occur. Only minor differences occurred among PTBs. Pooled 5y-wear levels for ZP for both dentifrices (∼21 μm /5y) were similar to values for current-day posterior composite materials.

Conclusions. Combinations of PTBs with mild and abrasive dentifrices produced significant wear with ZP but not UC; thus, resin-composite cements seem to represent a better choice for wear resistance.