The effectiveness of scaling therapy on periodontal indexes in adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background Although fixed orthodontic therapy offers numerous advantages, inadequate adherence to specific guidelines can lead to negative consequences, primarily affecting the gums. To enhance periodontal health, several surgical and non-surgical approaches, including scaling, have been employed.The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the adjunctive role of scaling therapy on (the improvement of gum health parameters among patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment(FOT) during the period of 6 months.Methods In this interventional study,78 patients were randomly assigned to either case or control groups. Oral hygiene techniques were taught to both groups. Periodic scaling was done were performed at three times (1,3 and 6 months) after the starting of orthodontic treatment in the intervention group. Periodontal indices were measured and compared at baseline and all follow-up times between groups. The data were analysed with the repeated measure test at the significant level of 0.05 in the SPSS software (ver.22).Findings This study was conducted on 78 patients with a mean age of 21 ± 9 years old, including 37 women and 41 men that assigned to two equal groups of 39. The results of repeated measured analysis showed that the mean of GI and BOP indices increased significantly during the follow-up period of the study in the control group, but a non-significant decrease was obtained in the intervention group. But, the average of Pl.I index decreased significantly during the follow-up period in the intervention group, compared to the control group.Conclusions Scaling as an adjunct therapy helps to improve clinical periodontal parameters in patients undergoing FOT.

Keywords

• Orthodontics
• scaling
• periodontal indices
• BOP
• plaque index
• gingival index