Recommending the right powered brush for ortho patients

Curaden

Wed. 8. November 2023

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During orthodontic therapy, only excellent oral hygiene leads to excellent results. However, dental professionals are not always sure of recommendations to make to orthodontic patients regarding powered toothbrushes. In this interview, Dr Sercan Akyalcin, director of the Advanced Graduate Education Program in Orthodontics at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in the US, discusses Curaprox’s Hydrosonic pro and what makes it an ideal tool.

Dr Sercan Akyalcin, director of the Advanced Graduate Education Program in Orthodontics at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in the US. (Image: Sercan Akyalcin)

How crucial is oral hygiene to successful orthodontic treatment?
With increasing numbers of adults seeking orthodontic treatment, oral hygiene maintenance is an ever-hot topic for busy orthodontic practices, and as a practising orthodontist, I always seek innovative tools to make oral healthcare easier for our patients. This is essential in orthodontics, as exceptional outcomes after orthodontic treatment closely follow patients’ overall compliance, especially concerning oral hygiene.

Poor oral hygiene standards hinder maintenance of a healthy periodontium, cause plaque accumulation and eventually lead to white spot lesion formation in orthodontic patients. In addition, I have often observed that tooth movement response to orthodontic forces is subpar in patients with compromised oral hygiene.

How did the Hydrosonic pro toothbrush convince you?
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have shown that there is moderate certainty that powered toothbrushes reduce plaque and the incidence of gingivitis over the short and long term. While many powered toothbrushes, depending on their mode of action, for example oscillating-rotating, and the shape of the brush head, may not be suitable for the standard hygiene maintenance of orthodontic patients, Curaprox’s Hydrosonic pro caught my attention.

An ideal brush head for orthodontic patients should be able to clean the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies where biofilm accumulates. The Hydrosonic pro has three brush heads: power, sensitive and single. While the first two are aimed at regular toothbrushing with sonic action and seven modes, ranging from 44,000 to 84,000 brush head movements, the single-tufted brush head easily reaches concealed areas where bacteria and plaque accumulation readily occur in the niches between the teeth, brackets, attachments and wires.

What role do Curaprox’s patented Curen bristles play?
The extra-small single brush head could make a potential difference in orthodontic patients for tooth-by-tooth and gum line cleaning, considering that all the brush heads are made of ultra-fine filaments instead of traditional nylon bristles. The brush heads use the finest Curen bristles, each measuring 0.088 mm in diameter. These ultra-fine filaments do not absorb water as much as nylon bristles do and therefore can keep their original texture when wet.

Standard bristles usually make many brush heads too stiff or thick. In addition, regular bristles may not remove plaque adequately because they do not reach the gum line correctly. When directed to hollowed-out or confined spaces, the resulting pressure might cause abrasion or damage the periodontium. Curaprox’s patented Curen bristles adjust to the dental anatomy without hurting the gingiva or causing damage, even under the most substantial forces.

I tested the innovative and teardrop-shaped single brush head. The adaptability of the bristles around the gum line is impressive and provides intense sulcular cleaning without the user feeling any excessive pressure. I found the bristles so soft yet very effective. This makes using the single brush around brackets, miniscrews and wires extremely comfortable.

Editorial note:

More information can be found at curaprox.us.

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