In-vitro simulation methods for mechanical plaque removal: a systematic scoping review of current techniques and future directions

Abstract Background and objectives Different methods to simulate plaque in order to test the efficacy of oral cleaning methods have been published. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the existing models and to highlight their respective benefits and limitations. Material and methods...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Johannes Herzog, Jelena Karacic, Leonardo Svellenti, Philipp Sahrmann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05558-6
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832571249700634624
author Johannes Herzog
Jelena Karacic
Leonardo Svellenti
Philipp Sahrmann
author_facet Johannes Herzog
Jelena Karacic
Leonardo Svellenti
Philipp Sahrmann
author_sort Johannes Herzog
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and objectives Different methods to simulate plaque in order to test the efficacy of oral cleaning methods have been published. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the existing models and to highlight their respective benefits and limitations. Material and methods Following the recommended scoping review methodology the scientific literature was systematically searched electronically (PubMed and Scopus) and by hand search up to July 2024, using combinations of search items related to oral plaque simulation, periodontitis or peri-implantitis. Retrieved study titles and abstracts were screened for possible inclusion. Finally, data from included fulltexts was extracted by two independent reviewers. Nine different characteristics for proper plaque simulation method were defined and each existing method evaluated and rated accordingly, and an overall rating was calculated for each method. Results Initially, 1787 records were identified. After abstract and title screening and fulltext revision, 25 fulltexts describing 7 different simulation methods, were included. The assessed methods of simulation were ink (12), varnish (5), calcium phosphate (1), calcium carbonate (1), occlusal spray (3), aluminum (1), commercially distributed and prepared artificial plaque (2). Even though some materials achieved good results in the assessment for individual criteria like water solubility, big differences could be found concerning practicability and production time, no simulation method was rated "very good" or even "good" in the overall evaluation. While ink and varnish were considered simulation materials of moderate quality for oral plaque simulation, all other techniques were assessed as weak simulation materials. Conclusion Among the different published methods for the simulation of mechanical plaque removal, none seems to sufficiently simulate the essential characteristics of oral plaque, while some simulation methods may be useful to feature single properties of plaque in in-vitro studies sufficiently. Nevertheless, advanced models reflecting the diverse features of dental plaque more comprehensively are needed.
format Article
id doaj-art-8e7b08e3fe104ea5b7dadd76599bd49a
institution Kabale University
issn 1472-6831
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Oral Health
spelling doaj-art-8e7b08e3fe104ea5b7dadd76599bd49a2025-02-02T12:45:11ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-02-0125111410.1186/s12903-025-05558-6In-vitro simulation methods for mechanical plaque removal: a systematic scoping review of current techniques and future directionsJohannes Herzog0Jelena Karacic1Leonardo Svellenti2Philipp Sahrmann3Department of Periodontology, Endodontology and Cariology, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel UZB, University of BaselDepartment of Periodontology, Endodontology and Cariology, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel UZB, University of BaselDepartment of Periodontology, Endodontology and Cariology, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel UZB, University of BaselDepartment of Periodontology, Endodontology and Cariology, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel UZB, University of BaselAbstract Background and objectives Different methods to simulate plaque in order to test the efficacy of oral cleaning methods have been published. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the existing models and to highlight their respective benefits and limitations. Material and methods Following the recommended scoping review methodology the scientific literature was systematically searched electronically (PubMed and Scopus) and by hand search up to July 2024, using combinations of search items related to oral plaque simulation, periodontitis or peri-implantitis. Retrieved study titles and abstracts were screened for possible inclusion. Finally, data from included fulltexts was extracted by two independent reviewers. Nine different characteristics for proper plaque simulation method were defined and each existing method evaluated and rated accordingly, and an overall rating was calculated for each method. Results Initially, 1787 records were identified. After abstract and title screening and fulltext revision, 25 fulltexts describing 7 different simulation methods, were included. The assessed methods of simulation were ink (12), varnish (5), calcium phosphate (1), calcium carbonate (1), occlusal spray (3), aluminum (1), commercially distributed and prepared artificial plaque (2). Even though some materials achieved good results in the assessment for individual criteria like water solubility, big differences could be found concerning practicability and production time, no simulation method was rated "very good" or even "good" in the overall evaluation. While ink and varnish were considered simulation materials of moderate quality for oral plaque simulation, all other techniques were assessed as weak simulation materials. Conclusion Among the different published methods for the simulation of mechanical plaque removal, none seems to sufficiently simulate the essential characteristics of oral plaque, while some simulation methods may be useful to feature single properties of plaque in in-vitro studies sufficiently. Nevertheless, advanced models reflecting the diverse features of dental plaque more comprehensively are needed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05558-6Oral hygieneIn vitro modelDental plaqueBiofilmPeriodontitisPeri-implantitis
spellingShingle Johannes Herzog
Jelena Karacic
Leonardo Svellenti
Philipp Sahrmann
In-vitro simulation methods for mechanical plaque removal: a systematic scoping review of current techniques and future directions
BMC Oral Health
Oral hygiene
In vitro model
Dental plaque
Biofilm
Periodontitis
Peri-implantitis
title In-vitro simulation methods for mechanical plaque removal: a systematic scoping review of current techniques and future directions
title_full In-vitro simulation methods for mechanical plaque removal: a systematic scoping review of current techniques and future directions
title_fullStr In-vitro simulation methods for mechanical plaque removal: a systematic scoping review of current techniques and future directions
title_full_unstemmed In-vitro simulation methods for mechanical plaque removal: a systematic scoping review of current techniques and future directions
title_short In-vitro simulation methods for mechanical plaque removal: a systematic scoping review of current techniques and future directions
title_sort in vitro simulation methods for mechanical plaque removal a systematic scoping review of current techniques and future directions
topic Oral hygiene
In vitro model
Dental plaque
Biofilm
Periodontitis
Peri-implantitis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05558-6
work_keys_str_mv AT johannesherzog invitrosimulationmethodsformechanicalplaqueremovalasystematicscopingreviewofcurrenttechniquesandfuturedirections
AT jelenakaracic invitrosimulationmethodsformechanicalplaqueremovalasystematicscopingreviewofcurrenttechniquesandfuturedirections
AT leonardosvellenti invitrosimulationmethodsformechanicalplaqueremovalasystematicscopingreviewofcurrenttechniquesandfuturedirections
AT philippsahrmann invitrosimulationmethodsformechanicalplaqueremovalasystematicscopingreviewofcurrenttechniquesandfuturedirections