Comparative efficacy with manual toothbrushes with flat, zig-zag and criss-cross shaped bristles on mechanical control among patients aged 20-25 years old in Nellore city- A randomized clinical trial

Dental plaque is the primary causative factor for the initiation and development of dental caries and periodontal disease . Plaque as a biofilm gets attached to the teeth and on the denture surface, leading to the destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth, namely, the gingiva, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone . Plaque control facilitates the return of the health for patients with gingivitis and periodontitis. It is effectively influenced by a number of individual‑and material‑based factors. The factors are based on the design of the toothbrush, the skill of the individual using the brush, and tooth brushing frequency and duration of use .Many types of bristle designs are commercially available. They are toothbrushes with flat bristle, multilevel bristle, rippled (zig-zag) bristle, angled or crisscrossed bristle, V-shaped bristle, spiral filament bristle, and tapered filament design. Effective plaque control is essential for the removal of dental plaque and its accumulation on the teeth and adjacent gingival surface. Manual toothbrushes are an essential part of oral hygiene for primary prevention and the bristle designs play a role in removing plaque efficiently and so maintaining healthy gingival conditions.so far, there are few studies investigated the effectiveness of different bristles on mechanical plaque control. So there is a need to conduct a study.