In Vitro Comparative Study on the Efficiency of Three Types of Plaque Control Methods in Fixed Orthodontic Treatment

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the efficiency of three different plaque control methods in maintaining oral hygiene during fixed orthodontic treatment. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of manual toothbrushing, interdental brushes, and chlorhexidine mouthwash in plaque removal from orthodontic brackets and surrounding areas.

Materials and Methods: A total of 30 extracted human premolar teeth were collected for this study. Each tooth was fitted with orthodontic brackets to simulate fixed orthodontic treatment. The samples were randomly divided into three groups, with 10 samples in each group representing the three plaque control methods: Group A - manual toothbrushing, Group B - interdental brushes, and Group C - chlorhexidine mouthwash. Baseline plaque accumulation was measured using a plaque disclosing solution. After the initial plaque accumulation, the teeth were subjected to their respective plaque control methods for a period of four weeks.

Results: After the four-week experimental period, plaque accumulation was assessed using the plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI). The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA and post-hoc tests. The results revealed that all three plaque control methods demonstrated a significant reduction in plaque and gingival scores compared to baseline values. However, the interdental brush group (Group B) exhibited the highest plaque removal efficiency, followed closely by the chlorhexidine mouthwash group (Group C). The manual toothbrushing group (Group A) showed effective plaque control but exhibited slightly lower efficiency compared to the other two groups.

Conclusion: The findings of this in vitro study suggest that interdental brushes and chlorhexidine mouthwash are both effective plaque control methods during fixed orthodontic treatment, with the interdental brush showing superior efficiency in plaque removal from orthodontic brackets and adjacent areas. However, manual toothbrushing remains a viable and essential component of oral hygiene maintenance during orthodontic treatment. Further clinical trials and long-term investigations are recommended to validate these results and assess the effects of these plaque control methods on overall periodontal health during fixed orthodontic treatment.