Effectiveness of Ortho-Buddy on Plaque Control in Orthodontic Patients

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether the Ortho-Buddy toothbrush can improve plaque removal in adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. The main question it aims to answer is: Does using the Ortho-Buddy toothbrush, alone or together with a standard toothbrush, reduce dental plaque more effectively than using a standard toothbrush alone? Researchers compared three brushing methods to see which was most effective for plaque removal. Participants: * Had dental plaque disclosed and measured before brushing * Brushed for 2 minutes using either a standard toothbrush, the Ortho-Buddy toothbrush, or a combination of both * Had dental plaque measured again immediately after brushing.

The Ortho-Buddy is a toothbrush adjunct designed to help clean around fixed orthodontic appliances, where plaque accumulation can be difficult to control with a conventional toothbrush alone. This randomized clinical trial compared the immediate plaque-removal effectiveness of three supervised brushing approaches in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances. Participants were assigned to one of three groups: standard toothbrush alone, standard toothbrush followed by Ortho-Buddy, or Ortho-Buddy alone. Dental plaque was disclosed and scored before brushing and again immediately after a 2-minute supervised brushing session using the assigned method. Plaque was assessed using the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index. The study was conducted at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine orthodontic clinic during a single study visit. That gives useful context without repeating the exact outcome measures or arm descriptions that you will enter elsewhere. Your IRB describes the study as a one-visit pilot evaluating Ortho-Buddy for oral hygiene in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.