Evaluating Three Approaches To Enhance Oral Hygiene In Adult Orthodontic Patients

Objective: To evaluate outcomes in adult orthodontic patients undergoing fixed appliance treatment for the Bleeding Index, Gingival Index, and Orthodontic Plaque Index through video graphics methods and plaque-disclosing tablets compared to verbal instructions. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the University in the Department of Orthodontics. Adult orthodontic patients meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited from outpatient orthodontic clinics, with 60 participants randomly assigned to three groups. Patients with more than 2 mm of clinical attachment loss, pregnant or lactating women, those with a history of periodontal therapy in the past six months, and individuals who had taken antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs in the past month were excluded. The study evaluated outcomes using the Bleeding Index, Gingival Index, and Orthodontic Plaque Index through video graphics methods and plaque-disclosing tablets compared to verbal instructions. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.00. Results: A total of 60 participants had a mean age of 21.15 +/- 6.27 in the verbal instruction group, with a higher proportion of men. Descriptive data for the three intervention groups indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in the baseline mean scores for GI, OPI, and BI among the three groups. There was no statistical difference between genders, except for the bleeding Index of the upper and lower jaws in females, which had a statistically significant p-value. The simple linear regression model suggests that video significantly improves oral hygiene, and the video group is more effective in educating about oral hygiene. Conclusion: In conclusion, adult orthodontic patients undergoing fixed appliance therapy benefit from improved dental hygiene outcomes when using video graphic methods and plaque-disclosing tablets.