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Effectiveness of Mobile Phone Reminder Applications in Improving Oral Hygiene Compliance of Orthodontic Patients

The Effectiveness of Mobile Phone Reminders in the Improvement of Oral Hygiene in Patients With Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06811688
Enrollment
60
Registered
2025-02-06
Start date
2023-02-14
Completion date
2023-07-31
Last updated
2025-02-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Oral Hygiene

Keywords

Active reminders, Mobile application, Oral hygiene, Orthodontic fixed appliance

Brief summary

The aim of this Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was to investigate the effectiveness of mobile application as an active reminder for improving oral hygiene compliance of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment using fixed orthodontic appliances.

Detailed description

eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either control or intervention group. Group l (control): Only verbal instructions on oral hygiene including brushing using soft bristles, brushing for 2 minutes, flossing once daily, the use of fluoridated oral rinse, orthodontic appliance care and avoiding hard and sticky food.These instructions were given at the baseline visit. Then, these subjects were re-examined after 4 weeks. Group II (intervention): the subjects received the same oral hygiene instructions that were described to the control group with the addition of downloading two mobile applications: Brushout app and Brush teeth reminder app. These applications were adjusted to send notifications twice daily in the morning and night as reminders to practice oral hygiene. In addition, oral hygiene practice was tracked by a link that was sent electronically and checked by study researchers as a compliance protocol. Like the control group, subjects were re-examined after 4 weeks.

Interventions

OTHERTwo mobile applications: Brushout and Brush teeth reminder applications

These applications were adjusted to send notifications twice daily in the morning and night as reminders to practice oral hygiene.

Sponsors

Umm Al-Qura University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)

Intervention model description

The participants were asked to download two mobile applications: Brushout and Brush teeth reminder applications. These applications were adjusted to send notifications twice daily in the morning and night as reminders to practice oral hygiene.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

\- 1- Subjects having orthodontic treatment using fixed appliances 2- The use of a smartphone to download Brushout app and Brush teeth reminder app

Exclusion criteria

* Subjects having orthodontic treatment using removable appliances

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Plaque IndexAt baseline and 4 weeksAs described by Silness-Löe plaque index, Six teeth (#16, #12, #24, #36, #32, #44) were used to evaluate the plaque present in each surface including facial, lingual, mesial and distal surface. The thickness of the plaque was measured as follows: 0: absence of microbial plaque, 1: thin film of microbial plaque along the free gingival margin, 2: moderate accumulation with plaque in sulcus, 3: large amount of plaque in sulcus or pocket along the free gingival margin.
Gingival indexAt baseline and 4 weeksGingival index was used to evaluate the gingival condition in each surface including facial, lingual, mesial and distal. The following scores were used: 0: normal gingiva 1: mild inflammation- slight change in color, slight edema and no bleeding on probing, 2: moderate inflammation- redness, edema and glazing and bleeding on probing 3: severe inflammation- marked redness and edema and tendency to spontaneous bleeding, ulceration.

Countries

Saudi Arabia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026