Philips Sonicare FlexCare - Sonicare.com - Sonicare

Study 2: Dentin Abrasion
Tables 3 and 4 and Figure 4 show the results of
this study. In clinical loading conditions, FlexCare
resulted in significantly less dentin abrasion (38 µm)
than both the Triumph (81 µm) and the manual
toothbrush (77 µm). No significant differences were
found between the Triumph and the manual toothbrush.
Under uniform loading conditions (150 g),
FlexCare still showed the least abrasion, although
the difference with the manual brush did not reach
statistical significance. Both Flexcare (39 µm) and
the manual brush (51 µm) resulted in significantly
less dentin abrasion than the Triumph (81 µm).
Study 3: Orthodontic Bracket Strength
Table 5 shows the mean strength and standard
deviation required to remove an orthodontic bracket
from the specimens in each treatment group. Fortyseven
specimens completed the testing; one specimen
was excluded because of possible damage during
handling. No significant differences between
treatments were found. The results of this in vitro
study simulating clinical use conditions suggest that
toothbrush and toothpaste usage does not compromise
orthodontic bond strength.
Discussion
Study 1: Restorative Materials Abrasion
The first in vitro study compared the FlexCare
and a manual toothbrush to determine their effect on
changes in surface characteristics of 3 restorative
materials (Solidex, EsthetX, and titanium) and
bovine enamel. Surface changes were assessed for
roughness and gloss. Scratches from brushing with a
toothpaste increase roughness and decrease gloss
concurrently. To our knowledge, this is the first
report on a comprehensive evaluation related to
power toothbrushes. Increase in roughness and loss
in luster of dental materials after prolonged use of
oral hygiene procedures appears inevitable, requiring
refinishing of restorations at times. In this study,
baseline readings resulted from meticulous polishing
using alumina, possibly resulting in a smoother polish
than would typically be obtained from in-office
treatment. Regardless, the question was whether the
Sonicare FlexCare power toothbrush would differ
from a manual brush, and the data suggest that when
differences were observed, they favored the FlexCare.
In practice, it may be postulated that over extended
periods of time, changes in surface characteristics
will level off to a polishing range determined by the
toothpaste abrasive and wear resistance of the specific
material, regardless of the toothbrush used. Indeed,
a preliminary study on Solidex with additional assessments
at 1,500, 6,000, and 24,000 brushing strokes
showed a nonlinear change and leveling off between
12,000 and 24,000 strokes (data not shown).
Nonetheless, this current study suggests that for clinical
loading conditions, abrasion with the FlexCare
progresses slower compared with the manual brush
using a higher brushing force, and might, therefore,
require less professional repolishing of restorations.
Study 2: Dentin Abrasion
The second in vitro study compared dentin abrasion
in simulated clinical conditions for the FlexCare
with an oscillating–rotating power toothbrush and a
manual toothbrush and showed that the FlexCare
was significantly less abrasive than the other 2 brushes.
Under equal brushing loads, FlexCare still resulted
in less abrasion than the other brushes. These
results are consistent with similar experiments for
previous Sonicare model, which indicated that
Sonicare brushes result in significantly less dentin
abrasion than manual toothbrushes and oscillating–
rotating power toothbrushes. 2-5
Figure 4—Abrasion of dentin samples after 2 years of simulated brushing with toothpaste
90
90
Wear
(µm)
60
Wear
(µm)
60
30
30
0
FlexCare (90 g) Manual (250 g) Triumph (150 g)
0
FlexCare Manual Triumph
A. Clinically relevant brushing forces
Toothbrush
B. Equal (150 g) brushing forces
Toothbrush
48 Compendium / September 2007 Vol. 28, No. 9 (Suppl 1)