Effects of QScan on Plaque Accumulation and Demineralisation in Orthodontic Patients.

Abstract

Effects of QScan on Plaque And Demineralisation in Orthodontic Patients. SARKHOUH. S. S. ; FLANNIGAN. N.; BURNSIDE. G.; HIGHAM. S. (Liverpool University Dental Hospital) Objective: To test the efficacy of the QScan oral hygiene device used by patients with fixed orthodontics appliances and its effect on plaque accumulation and demineralisation. Design and Setting: A prospective randomised control trial was undertaken at Liverpool University Dental Hospital. Materials and methods: Sixty patients with upper and lower fixed orthodontic appliances were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group was provided with the QScan device to use as an at home oral hygiene adjunct. The control group were asked to continue with thier oral hygiene care at home without the use of QScan. Both groups were assessed over a period of three orthodontic appointments. At each visit Quantitative Light Fluorescence Induced - Digital (QLF-D) photographs were taken of the dentition in an aim to quantify the amount of plaque and demineralisation. Results: Fifty-six (93.3%) participants completed the study. There was a total reduction in plaque accumulation in the QScan group, which was statistically significant (p 0.05). Conclusions: The Qscan device has shown to be an effective adjunct for plaque control in orthodontic patients following a longitudinal assessment. However, this reduction did not translate to a significant reduction in demineralisation following an average 15 week assessment.