Comparative Analysis of Oral Hygiene in Children with Fixed Orthodontic Technique and Healthy Controls

Introduction: Numerous studies show that, in addition to individual hygiene habits, children's oral hygiene depends on several other factors over which they have no effect, such as treatment with fixed orthodontic technique.Aim: The aim of the present study is to make a comparative analysis of oral hygiene in children aged 12 to 18 years treated with fixed orthodontic technique and healthy controls.Materials and Methods: A total of 82 children were included. Of them, 41 were treated with fixed orthodontic technique (braces)—clinical group, and 41 were healthy controls, who have passed through the dental office in University Medical Dental Center—Varna. The oral hygiene of children in the clinical group was measured by the OPI index, and that of healthy controls by OHI. The results were statistically processed with SPSS v.20.0 using variance, variation, comparative and correlation analyses. For significance level we assumed p < 0.05.Results: According to the indices for assessment of oral hygiene in the clinical and control groups, it was found that there was a significant difference between the values of the two indices (p < 0.01), as children from the clinical group were characterized by poorer oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene correlated with male gender and earlier age, as well as lack of co-operation during treatment.Conclusion: From the obtained results it can be concluded that regardless of the treatment with fixed orthodontic technique, good oral hygiene can be maintained with the cooperation of the patient. Male gender and earlier age, when children do not yet have the necessary skills for plaque control, can be considered risk factors. Moreover, one of the tasks of orthodontists is to raise the awareness of patients and their parents about the methods of maintaining good oral hygiene during fixed orthodontic treatment to prevent the appearance of white carious lesions