Development and clinical evaluation of a new electric toothbrush utilizing disinfection technique based on photolysis of hydrogen peroxide

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24593140
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Social dentistry
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: IKAI Hiroyo 東北大学, 歯学研究科(研究院), 助教 (20431588)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ヒドロキシルラジカル / 過酸化水素 / 青色可視光 / 殺菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to apply the bactericidal action of photolysis of hydrogen peroxide to a wide range of civilian goods, I have developed the toothbrush that emits blue visible light from the tip of bristle. A compact size LED was fixed with the head of toothbrush by using a weld technology so that the light could be introduced to the tip of bristle. In addition, the content of hydrogen peroxide contained in commercially available toothpastes and the yield of hydroxyl radical generated by the blue light irradiation of these toothpastes were determined. Based on the determinations, an optimal toothpaste was chosen to be used in a future clinical study. Besides these studies, since it was found that addition of proanthocyanidin, a group of polyphenols, augmented the bactericidal action of photolysis of hydrogen peroxide, it was suggested that a novel toothpaste containing proanthocyanidin could be applicable to the light emitting toothbrush.

Free Research Field

補綴学一般