[The need for specific toothpaste in patients receiving occlusal splint therapy]

Area of Science:

• Dental Science
• Oral Hygiene Research
• Biomaterials in Dentistry

Background:

• Occlusal splint therapy can impact oral hygiene.
• Identifying optimal toothpaste properties is essential for patients undergoing this therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the ideal toothpaste characteristics for individuals using occlusal splints.
• To evaluate the efficacy of different toothpaste formulations on oral hygiene markers.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 50 participants with full dentition, divided into occlusal splint users and controls.
• Toothpaste efficacy assessed using hygienic indices (NCI-C, Turesky, PMA) and salivary parameters over 90 days.
• Subgroup analysis based on toothpaste composition, specifically including sodium bicarbonate and silica.

Main Results:

• The group using toothpaste with sodium bicarbonate and silica demonstrated superior oral hygiene levels.
• Salivary volume and acidity changes indicated a positive effect of this specific toothpaste formulation.
• Consistent improvements in hygienic indices were observed in the splint therapy group using the tested toothpaste.

Conclusions:

• Toothpaste formulated with sodium bicarbonate and silica appears optimal for patients undergoing occlusal splint therapy.
• This toothpaste formulation contributes to enhanced oral hygiene and potentially better salivary balance.
• Further research could explore long-term effects and specific mechanisms of action.