Comparative Assessment of Oral Hygiene among Four Commercially Available Brands of Orthodontic Toothbrushes -An In-Vivo Study

Abstract

Introduction: The most common problem with placement of orthodontic appliances (fixed) is the maintenance of proper oral hygiene. This may lead to periodontal problems. Orthodontic toothbrushes are to be used by patients with braces bonded on the teeth. Due to the varieties of manual orthodontic toothbrushes available commercially, there is often a dilemma amongst the patients as to which brand to use. The same confusion is also there amongst the orthodontists regarding the prescription of manual orthodontic toothbrushes. Aim: Comparative assessment of oral hygiene among four different commercially available brands of manual orthodontic toothbrushes. Methodology: A total of 60 subjects were selected for the study and were divided into four groups of 15 subjects each, randomly using simple random sampling. Four routinely prescribed brands of toothbrushes namely Colgate ortho Brush, Dr Dentaids Stim ortho MB orthodontic toothbrush, Oral B Orthodontic toothbrush and Thermoseal ortho brush were selected to be compared in terms of maintaining oral hygiene. One brand of orthodontic toothbrush was assigned for each of the four groups. Participants of all the four groups were given one common dentifrice and mouthwash. The subjects were asked to brush twice daily and use the mouthwash daily and were asked to report at the fixed time intervals for follow up. Oral hygiene of all the selected subjects was evaluated in terms of four indices; Orthodontic Plaque Index, Loe and Silness Gingival Index, Bleeding on Probing and Probing Pocket Depth. All these indices were recorded at three time intervals- T₀ (at the time of bonding), T₁ (3 months following T₀) and T₂ (6 months following T₀). Results: There were no significant differences in all the indices at time T₁ amongst all the toothbrushes. Comparison of the indices between T₀ and T₁ also showed no significant differences. Statistically significant difference was observed at time T₂ in the subjects (p value <0.001). Comparison of the indices between T₀ and T₂ showed statistically significant differences (p value <0.001). Tooth brush C showed least mean values of Orthodontic Plaque Index at T₁ and T₂. Even in terms of Gingival Index, Toothbrush C (Oral B Orthodontic toothbrush) showed the least mean values at both, T₁ and T₂. It was found that Toothbrush C was the best in terms of maintaining oral hygiene in terms of Orthodontic Plaque Index and Gingival index. In terms of Bleeding on Probing and Probing Pocket Depth, all the four selected brands of toothbrushes showed efficient results. Conclusion: With this study it was clear that amongst all four selected tooth brushes, Oral B Orthodontic toothbrush was more efficient in maintaining oral hygiene in orthodontic patients. All the four toothbrushes are equally efficient in maintaining adequate oral hygiene if used with proper care and changed periodically.