Smartphone App Impact on Oral Hygiene in Orthodontics

This study aimed to compare changes in gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and gingival bleeding index (GBI) values in fixed orthodontic patients. Participants were classified into two groups based on their oral hygiene: those using the Dentabuddy app for oral hygiene improvement and those receiving assistant-led toothbrushing training.

Will the use of the Dentabuddy application lead to differences in oral hygiene levels? Can adolescents effectively utilize the program? Participants will compare the effectiveness of the smartphone application with a group receiving traditional oral hygiene motivation.

Participants:

Will use the program according to the designated time intervals. Will attend their appointments regularly.

Completed

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Key information

Conditions

Oral Hygiene Education Methods

Age range

12 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Necmettin Erbakan University

Konya, Meram, 42090, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

The Dentabuddy application is a free oral hygiene improvement tool available for download on the Google Play Store. This study will include 60 patients aged 12-18 years who have been undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment for at least six months. Patients will be classified into good, fair, and poor oral hygiene groups based on the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), assessed by the second researcher. Using the Research Randomizer website, participants will be randomly assigned to either the Dentabuddy group or the assistant-supported training group.

Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) values will be recorded at baseline, after one month, and after three months. These data will be compared between groups. Additionally, at the end of three months, participants will be asked to demonstrate the brushing technique they were taught using a bracketed model. Those meeting specific criteria will be classified as having successfully demonstrated the brushing technique.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

no missing teeth,
no systemic diseases or medications,
complete permanent dentition,
ability to maintain personal oral hygiene

Exclusion criteria

dental treatment affecting oral hygiene

Treatment and study plan

Mobile application

Behavioral

In this study, unlike similar studies in the literature, participants were grouped based on their oral hygiene status.

traditional oral hygiene motivation

Behavioral

The group demonstrating the brushing technique on a braces model

Primary outcomes

Oral hygiene in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment

Time frame: From August to November 2023

Participants whose oral hygiene scores are monitored through the use of the Dentabuddy application.

The Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PI) are assessed on four surfaces of each tooth (mesial, distal, buccal/labial, and lingual) using a scale from 0 to 3. The total score from all evaluated sites is summed and divided by the total number of teeth to obtain the mean GI and PI values. A reduction in values will indicate a positive outcome of the study.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Using a Smart Phone App on Oral Hygiene and Brushing Training During Fixed Orthodontic Therapy

Important dates

Study start: 2023
Primary completion: 2023
Study completion: 2023
First posted: Mar 10, 2025
Registry last updated: Mar 12, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed