Longitudinal evaluation of a system for self-monitoring plaque control effectiveness in orthodontic patients

This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of the Plaklite as an adjunct to plaque control instruction in orthodontic patients. 24 subjects, aged 9-14, who were to receive full banded Edgewise orthodontic appliances, were divided randomly into 3 groups. The first group was a control and did not receive structured plaque control instructions. The second group received plaque control instructions using the modified Bass brushing technique with no disclosant. The third group received a similar type of plaque control instructions supplemented with instructions in the use of a Plaklite to self-assess the effectiveness of plaque control. Both plaque control groups received monthly reinforcement of their initial instructions for the first 5 months of orthodontic treatment. The Plaque Index and Gingivitis Index were utilized to assess plaque and gingival inflammation before and after banding, and at 6-week intervals for the first 9 months of treatment. These indices were recorded single blind. The results indicated that plaque and gingivitis scores progressively increased during the test period for the control group. Also those subjects who received a plaque control program which included the Plaklite had a more sustained improvement in plaque and gingivitis scores for the test period than the group receiving plaque control instructions only.