Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026
Semi-Automated Planimetric Quantification of Dental Plaque Using an Intraoral Fluorescence Camera
Published on: January 27, 2023
Laboratory evaluations of two toothbrushes for removal of artificial plaque above, around and below the gingival
S L Yankell1, Xiuren Shi, R C Emling
1University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. SLYKRY@AOL.com
Objective:
Two toothbrushes were evaluated with a laboratory method for the ability to remove artificial plaque deposits around interproximal sites (interproximal access efficacy, IAE) at the gingival margin (gingival margin cleaning, GMC), and below simulated gingivae (subgingival access, SA) using clinical toothbrushing motions under wet brushing conditions.
Methodology:
The toothbrushes tested were Meridol or an ADA reference standard. The Meridol toothbrush has a flat profile and contains double-tapered filaments. The ADA reference standard also has a flat profile, with traditional end-rounded bristles. Both toothbrushes have a soft texture. Six toothbrushes of each design were evaluated four times for a total of 24 assessments.
Results:
The Meridol toothbrush had significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean IAE, GMC and SA values compared to the ADA reference standard toothbrush tested.
Conclusion:
From these results, the Meridol toothbrush with tapered bristles is more likely to be effective in clinical studies on plaque removal compared to other manual toothbrushes with rounded bristles in a flat head design, that are similar to the ADA reference standard toothbrush.
