THE EFFECT OF ORAL HYGIENE PROGRAM ON MAINTENANCE OF GINGIVAL HEALTH DURING FIXED ORTHODONTIC THERAPY

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of different instructional methods of oral hygiene programs in maintenance of gingival health during fixed orthodontic therapy. Materials And Methods: A total of 60 orthodontic patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into three groups according to oral hygiene instructions (n = 20) as follows: first control group received written instructions. Second group received video instructions. Third group received one to one verbal instructions by hygienist. The periodontal parameters (modified gingival index, bonded bracket index and hyperplastic index) were recorded at the baseline and every two months consequently for six months. The level of salivary interleukin 1β was measured between baseline and after 6 months. Results: During the observed period, a statistically significant change in modified gingival index and bonded bracket index was noticed in both video group and one to one verbal instructions, while both did not show significant change in hyperplastic index. The written instructions showed no statistical significant change in all parameters. One to one verbal instructions and video instructions showed a reduction on the level of salivary interleukin 1β significantly, while written instructions did not show significant change on the level of salivary interleukin 1β. Conclusion: The oral hygiene instructions by visual demonstrations gave an improvement in oral hygiene more then written instructions.