Effect of Manual and Electrical Brushing on the Enamel of Sound Primary Teeth and Teeth with Induced White Spot Lesions.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different electrical brushing systems on the surface roughness and wear profile of the enamel of sound primary teeth and teeth with induced white spot lesions. Methods: 45 specimens were obtained from sound primary incisors, and the buccal surface was divided into four parts: sound enamel; enamel with white spot lesions; sound enamel with brushing; and enamel with white spot lesions and brushing. Specimens were randomly divided into three groups (n=15), according to the different brushing systems: Group 1 - Electric rotating toothbrush (Kid's Power Toothbrush - Oral B); Group 2 - Sonic electric toothbrush (Baby Sonic Toothbrush); and Group 3 - Manual toothbrush (Curaprox infantil) (control). The specimens were analyzed for surface roughness and wear profile. Data were analyzed by appropriate statistical tests, with a significance level of 5%. Results: Regarding the surface roughness, no significant difference was observed between the groups. However, with respect to the wear profile, Group 1 caused significantly higher wear in the sound tooth enamel and in the presence of white spot lesions, in comparison to the other brushing systems (2 and 3) (P< 0.05), which did not cause wear. Manual and electric brushing (rotational and sonic) did not increase surface roughness in primary tooth enamel. However, the electric rotational brushing caused significant wear of the sound and demineralized enamel surface of primary teeth.