Mechanical Plaque Control and Gingivitis Reduction in Fixed Appliance Patients

Mechanical Plaque Control and Gingivitis Reduction in Fixed Appliance Patients: Comparison of Different Toothbrushing Protocols

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of a sonic toothbrush alone is more effective than two other toothbrushing protocols on dental plaque elimination in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Inclusion Criteria:

• no systemic diseases
• orthodontic appliance (min. 10 completely erupted permanent teeth with brackets/bands)
• informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• presence of caries lesion
• antibiotic therapy within the previous 6 months
• diagnosis of early onset periodontitis