Dental Plaque
Conditions
Brief summary
This randomized crossover clinical trial evaluated whether the sequence of powered toothbrushing and dental flossing affects dental plaque removal. Forty-six systemically and periodontally healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of two oral hygiene sequences. In Group 1, participants performed powered toothbrushing followed by dental flossing during the first period and dental flossing followed by powered toothbrushing during the second period. Group 2 performed the same procedures in the opposite order. The two intervention periods were separated by a 15-day washout period, with professional prophylaxis performed to standardize oral hygiene conditions. Dental plaque was assessed before and after the oral hygiene procedures using the Plaque Index (PI) and the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI). The study aimed to determine whether performing powered toothbrushing before or after dental flossing results in greater plaque removal.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALPowered Toothbrushing
Participants will perform oral hygiene using a powered toothbrush according to the standardized study protocol. The intervention will be applied as part of the assigned brushing-flossing sequence.
BEHAVIORALDental Flossing
Participants will perform interdental cleaning using dental floss according to the standardized study protocol. The intervention will be applied as part of the assigned brushing-flossing sequence.
Sponsors
Lokman Hekim University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age between 18 and 30 years * Systemically healthy * Presence of at least 22 natural teeth * No signs of active periodontal disease * Ability to comply with the study procedures and oral hygiene instructions * Provision of written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Antibiotic use within the previous 3 months * Smoking * Presence of systemic conditions known to affect periodontal health, including diabetes mellitus or immune-mediated disorders * Ongoing orthodontic treatment * Presence of fixed prostheses, crowns, or extensive restorations that could interfere with plaque assessment * Professional periodontal therapy within the previous 3 months * Pregnancy or lactation * Severe dental crowding
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Residual Plaque Index | Immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence following 48 hours of plaque accumulation, in each study period. | Residual dental plaque was assessed immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence using the Plaque Index (PI). Higher scores indicate greater residual plaque accumulation. |
| Residual Buccal Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI) | Immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence following 48 hours of plaque accumulation, in each study period. | Following plaque disclosure, residual plaque on the buccal tooth surfaces was assessed using the Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI), scored from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater residual plaque accumulation. |
| Residual Lingual Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI) | Immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence following 48 hours of plaque accumulation, in each study period. | Following plaque disclosure, residual plaque on the lingual tooth surfaces was assessed using the Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI), scored from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater residual plaque accumulation. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed