Efficacy of amobile phone application for the improvement of oral hygiene of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment : Arandomized controlled clinical trial.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of amobile phone application (app) to improve oral hygiene of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted with atotal of 60patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment in two groups: intervention and control (n = 30 each). Apreviously designed mobile app (Labkhand) was used by patients in the intervention group. Orthodontic plaque index (OPI) and modified gingival index (MGI) were recorded in the two groups at baseline (first session or T0), and after 1 (T1) and 3 (T2) months. The number of debonded/broken brackets was also recorded, and pain score of the patients was assessed at nine time points. Data were analyzed using the χ2 test, paired t‑test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA; α = 0.05). The two groups demonstrated no significant difference in OPI and MGI at T0 (P > 0.05). OPI and MGI at T1 and T2 were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The number of patients with broken brackets in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P = 0.017). The two groups reported no significant difference in pain score (P > 0.05). The Labkhand mobile app successfully improved oral hygiene indices of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, and decreased the frequency of broken brackets after 1 and 3months of use.