Effectiveness of oral hygiene protocol in patients with post-traumatic splinting

In dental trauma with severe periodontal tissue involvement, as dental avulsion and severe luxation, the splinting procedure requires the patient to maintain a scrupulous hygiene of the affected zone, so to allow an effective tissue healing. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a specific oral hygiene protocol in the treatment of patients with post-traumatic splinting, comparing the plaque indexes of dental hygienist-helped patients versus not helped.

This study was carried out on 82 selected patients with post-traumatic splinting due to traumatic avulsion and severe luxation. They were divided into 2 groups, comparable for age, sex, type of trauma and splinting. The group A patients underwent an oral hygiene protocol, managed by a dental hygienist, while the group B patients were followed without the help of the hygienist. Plaque indexes were observed and compared in all cases during 6 weeks-follow up.

Our results showed that at the 6th week follow up the plaque indexes of dental hygienist-assisted traumatized patients were significantly (p=0.001) lower than those of not assisted patients.

Therefore, the role of dental hygienists is essential in the management of dental trauma with periodontal damage, which needs specific oral hygiene protocols.