Plaque index in multi-bracket fixed appliances

ABSTRACT

To compare the plaque index in patients receiving multi-bracket fixed orthodontic treatment for various factors like age, gender, socio-economic status, brushing practices, meal habits, types of brackets, types of ligations, use of mouthwash and duration of treatment. Cross-sectional analytical study. Orthodontics Clinic, The Aga Khan University Hospital, from September to November 2011. Socio-demographic and clinical modalities were defined and recorded for 131 patients having multi-bracket fixed appliances. The plaque index of subjects were recorded according to the Silness and Loe plaque index method. Independent sample t-test was used to see difference in plaque index in factors having two variables. One way ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey tests were used to see difference in plaque index in factors having three variables. Kappa statistics was used to assess inter examiner reliability. P-value of males [n = 48] and 63% females [n = 83]. The plaque index had statistically significant association with practice of brushing i.e., timing of brushing [p=0.001], method of brushing [p=0.08], type of ligatures [p=0.05] and frequency of visits [p=0.01]. The plaque accumulation is significantly decreased in subjects who brush the teeth twice or more than twice a day and those who brush their teeth after breakfast. The use of interdental brush and stainless steel ligatures had significantly low plaque. Subjects presenting with more frequent appointments of short-period had significantly less plaque