ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Stomatologica 2018 August;67(4):141-7

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4970.18.04104-3

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Single-blind randomized clinical trial on the efficacy of an interdental cleaning device in orthodontic patients

Alessandro QUARANTA ¹ ✉, Olivia MARCHISIO ², Orlando D'ISIDORO ^{1, 3}, Anna-Maria GENOVESI ², Ugo COVANI ²

¹ Research Program in Oral Implantology and Periodontics, UWA Dental School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; ² Department of Dentistry, Tuscan Institute of Stomatology, Versilia General Hospital, Lido di Camaiore, Lucca, Italy; ³ Private Practitioner, Silvi Marina, Teramo, Italy

BACKGROUND: It is well-known that poor oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment may lead to development of gingivitis, probing pocket depth, hyperplastic tissue, decalcification, dental caries and white spot lesions on the coronal surfaces of teeth.
METHODS: Twenty-two patients with the following inclusion criteria were enrolled in the present study: fixed orthodontic treatment, age 12-18 years, systemically healthy, no history of periodontal treatment, periodontal health or gingivitis. The following clinical parameters were collected: periodontal screening and recording, plaque control record, and bleeding on probing. Oral hygiene instructions were given and a specifically designed technique for orthodontic patients was suggested. Complete information about the mechanical interdental device were also provided. Means and standard deviations or medians and interquartile ranges for each parameter were collected.
RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction in plaque control record on both sides. The reduction in the experimental group was significantly greater compared to controls after adjusting for baseline values. There was also a statistically significant reduction in bleeding on probing in the experiment group, but not in controls.
CONCLUSIONS: The combination of manual toothbrush and mechanical interdental device demonstrated a better plaque control and gingival inflammation levels in orthodontic patients compared to manual brushing alone.

KEY WORDS: Oral hygiene - Dental plaque - Home care dental devices - Orthodontics