title: Laboratory evaluations of two toothbrushes for removal of artificial plaque above, around and below the gingival margin.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. SLYKRY@AOL.com
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Yankell
authors.forename: Xiuren
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Emling
mesh_terms: D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005881:Gingiva; D006801:Humans; D013499:Surface Properties; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods