ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research is to evaluate and compare the plaque removal ability of sonic brushing and manual brushing in order to present a method for continuous and effective oral hygiene control during orthodontic treatment. Nonextracted adolescent patients (male : 23 persons, female : 37 persons) and adult patients (male : 15 persons, female : 45 persons) outfitted with a fixed orthodontic appliance from their incisors to second molar, in both the maxilla and mandible, were divided into manual brushing and sonic brushing groups. A Philips oral healthcare HX-4401 sonic toothbrush was used, and the application of brushing for the two groups was standardized at two minutes. After brushing the plaque score was measured with a modified Wilkin's PHP. The following results were achieved after comparing each group's plaque score. 1. In patients with a fixed orthodontic appliance when age was not accounted for, the application of sonic brushing exerted a beneficially decreased effect on the plaque score. (adolescents : p<0.01, adults : p<0.05) 2. When comparing the adolescent and adult groups in regard to plaque score, the adolescent group showed a more decreased effect. 3. When using the same toothbrush type, there was no difference between the adolescent and adult groups.