Title
In vitro comparison of tapered versus standard bristle toothbrushes for plaque removal and peri implant disease prevention
Authors
Abhishek Sinha1,*, Tank Samprada2, Pavithra Rangarajan Seshadri3, Shalaka Raurale4, Rajeev Shrivastava5, Arvind Jain6 & Miral Mehta7
Affiliation
1Department of Periodontology, Purvanchal Institute of Dental Sciences, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India; 2Department of Pharmacology, Smt. B. K. Shah Medical Institute & Research Centre, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Vadodara, Gujarat, India; 3Department of Periodontics, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; 4Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Dr. N. Y. Tasgaonkar Institute of Medical Science and Research Center, Diksal, Karjat, Maharashtra, India; 5Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, New Horizon Dental College and Research Institute, Bilaspur, Chhattishgarh, India; 6Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Maitri College of Dentistry and Research CentreDurg, Chhattisgarh, India; 7Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Karnavati School of Dentistry, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India; *Corresponding author
Abhishek Sinha - E-mail: drasinhamds@gmail.com; Phone: +91 9454011432
Tank Samprada - E-mail: sampradatank@gmail.com
Pavithra Rangarajan Seshadri - E-mail: drpavithra1985@gmail.com
Shalaka Raurale - E-mail: shalaka.raurale@gmail.com; Phone: +91 9004605274
Rajeev Shrivastava - E-mail: dr.rajeev.bsp@gmail.com; Phone: +91 98271 59283
Arvind Jain - E-mail: dentist3499@gmail.com; Phone: +91 86020 01000
Miral Mehta - E-mail: miralmehta@karnavatiuniversity.edu.in; Phone: +91 9427704737
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received April 1, 2026; Revised April 30, 2026; Accepted April 30, 2026, Published April 30, 2026
Abstract
Peri-implant diseases pose significant clinical challenges in implant dentistry, with inadequate plaque control identified as a primary risk factor, yet the effects of bristle geometry on peri-implant plaque removal remain poorly understood. Therefore, it is of interest to compare tapered and standard flat-cut bristle toothbrushes under manual and powered brushing conditions on 40 implant-abutment models with simulated soft tissue. Plaque removal, subgingival bristle penetration, surface cleaning and titanium surface integrity were assessed via digital planimetry, micro-CT, SEM and profilometry. Tapered bristles demonstrated superior plaque removal in sulcular/interproximal areas and deeper subgingival penetration with minimal surface roughness versus standard bristles. Thus, tapered-bristle toothbrushes are the optimal choice for peri-implant plaque control, thereby reducing disease risk while preserving abutment integrity.
Keywords
Tapered bristles, dental implant, plaque removal, peri-implant disease, toothbrush, biofilm, surface roughness
Citation
Sinha et al. Bioinformation 22(4): 2154-2160 (2026)
Edited by
Vini Mehta
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
