Dental floss is an oral hygiene product used to remove food and plaque in places where toothbrushes cannot reach. Even though over the years since its introduction some research in suitable materials has been performed, thread cracking and wear can still compromise efficiency. The aim of this study was to examine the morphological properties of four different commercially available dental floss types before and after use. For that purpose, scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy were used to assess the flosses before and after use, and tension testing was performed to determine any degradation in the floss performance after utilization. The analyzed floss samples verify the hypothesis that the properties of the floss need to be known in depth, before recommending a specific type to patients for daily use in all clinical indications.
Keywords: dental floss testing; in vitro characterization; plaque management; scanning electron microscopy.