The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the plaque removal effi ciency of a chewable toothbrush (CB) in children. A total of 20 patients aged 10-12 years who attended to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry were enrolled in the study. This was a single-blinded crossover study which examined plaque removal effi ciency of a CB compared to a manual toothbrush (MB) following a consecutive use. After professional prophylaxis had been given, participants refrained from brushing and chewing for 48 h. Supragingival plaque was examined using the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Index (TQHI) and the simplifi ed oral hygiene index (OHI-S). For statistical comparison, the difference (prebrushing minus postbrushing) in average scores was calculated. Data were evaluated by Mann-Whitney U-test, with a P < 0.05 considered to be statistically significant. The mean plaque reduction score with TQHI for CB and MB were 1.91 ± 0.54 and 1.96 ± 0.52, respectively. The mean plaque reduction score with OHI-S for CB and MB were 1.31 ± 0.288 and 1.34 ± 0.403, respectively. Differences in scores between the two brushes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Within the limits of this study, the experimental chewable brush was found to be as effective as a manual brush in removing plaque. The chewable brush may be an appropriate oral hygiene adjunct for school children, including children with disabilities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of one layer or two layer applications of single bond (SB) and prime & bond (PB) which prepared with erbium: Yttrium aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser, potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser, and acid-etched dentin. Various surface pretreatments have been developed to have better adhesion to dentine. However, the effects of laser-etch and acid-etch on adhesion with various applications of bonding agents have not yet been achieved. Twenty-four human third molar teeth were used in this study. One third of the teeth were removed; then the teeth divided into three groups and two subgroups randomly. After Er:YAG laser, KTP laser, and acid-etch applied to dentine, SB and PB applied one or two layer for the subgroups. Waiting in distilled water for 24 h, the teeth were sectioned to sticks and the sticks were stressed in tension until failure using a microtensile testing machine. The data were collected in SPSS for statically analysis with three-way ANOVA and independent sample t-tests at the confi dence interval of 95%. The highest µTBS values were in Er:YAG laser and PB group in one-layer application. The Er:YAG laser can be useful to obtain high µTBS values. Applying a second consecutive coat of adhesive showed decreased µTBS values and KTP laser was not effective to obtain an increased µTBS values.