Aspects of oral health in orthodontic patients.

A longitudinal and transverse study has been carried out on 22 orthodontic patients during their first year of treatment to assess levels of plaque control and gingival inflammation. The scores were of full data and the patients randomly arranged on a split mouth cross-over design to study the effects of patient oral care and selective tooth cleaning on levels of oral health. The results are analysed in respect of upper fixed, lower fixed and upper removable appliances, comparing and contrasting quadrants that have been treated differently. Plaque levels appear constant, whereas levels of gingival inflammation are consistently worse during treatment but only in certain areas of the mouth. Levels of plaque and gingivitis are well controlled. There appears to be no hygiene disadvantage to an upper removable appliance when compared with an upper fixed appliance though the effect differs in relation to the tooth aspect considered. The significance of the findings is discussed.