For more than two decades, Dr. Nidhi Pai has been a leading figure in cosmetic dentistry, running practices in Palo Alto and San Diego, California. Her work — specializing in smile makeovers, veneers, and teeth whitening — has earned her recognition as one of the Top 100 Dentists in America and a Top Doc in Silicon Valley. But beyond aesthetics, Dr. Pai has long been focused on a persistent, often overlooked problem: even patients who brushed diligently were still developing gum disease and tooth decay.
“Despite diligent brushing, millions of people still suffer from gum disease and tooth decay because traditional toothbrushes simply cannot reach all the surfaces that matter,” Dr. Pai explains.
That observation became the spark for ZERObrush, a health technology startup co-founded by Dr. Pai to rethink oral care from the ground up. The company’s fully automated, custom-fit device is designed to clean all 192 tooth surfaces at once, providing a dentist-level clean without relying on technique. Advanced 3D printing and sonic technology allow the device to conform precisely to each user’s dental anatomy, ensuring even the most difficult spots — backs of teeth and along the gumline — are properly cleaned.
Clinical trials highlight the device’s effectiveness. In just 30 seconds, ZERObrush removes nearly twice as much plaque as a manual toothbrush does in a full minute. After four weeks, participants had significantly less plaque buildup, while those brushing manually often left areas untreated. The device also helped reduce gum inflammation and bleeding over the same period.
Dr. Pai’s vision for ZERObrush is rooted in real-world clinical experience. Partnering with her co-founder, Akash Pai, she spent years refining the custom-fit design and leveraging novel technologies in AI and additive manufacturing. Their work represents several firsts in business use and marks a bold step toward redefining at-home oral care.
Backed by $10.8 million from prominent investors — including Large CPG Strategic, Social Capital, several angel investors, and a senior executive from Meta — ZERObrush is preparing for a commercial launch in 2026. Future iterations will include app-based monitoring for personalized oral care guidance, further positioning the device as a category-defining innovation.
Dr. Pai’s journey demonstrates how observation, expertise, and bold thinking can turn a persistent problem into an industry-changing solution. With ZERObrush, she’s not just improving brushing — she’s redefining it for the modern era, making oral care more efficient, effective, and accessible for everyone.
