Effects of Active Reminders and Motivational Techniques on Oral Hygiene and Gingival Health in Orthodontic Patients

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: White Spot Lesion; Gingivitis; Oral Hygiene
• Interventions: Behavioral: Oral hygiene instructions

• Registration Number: NCT03841825
• Lead Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University

Brief Summary

This study will compare the use of text message reminders versus multiple in-person sessions of oral hygiene instructions and motivation on improving oral hygiene measurements.

Detailed Description

Orthodontic treatment (i.e. braces) makes it hard to keep good oral hygiene. The purpose of this research study is to compare the use of text message reminders versus multiple in-person sessions of oral hygiene instructions and motivation on improving oral hygiene measurements. Participation in this study will last up to 6 months and will consist of 4 study visits to the VCU Orthodontic clinic which are also regular visits for treatment. Measurements to assess participant's oral health will be taken during these visits. Participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups which may include receiving different types of text messages, repeated in-person oral hygiene instructions, or both, or neither.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-02-01
• Study First Submitted: 2019-02-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-02-12
• Study First Posted: 2019-02-15
• Primary Completion: 2020-03-06
• Study Completion: 2020-03-06
• Status Verified: 2020-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-09-08
• Last Update Posted: 2020-09-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 67

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age 11-20 that have their own mobile device
2. Patients have cellular plan that allows them to receive text messages at no extra cost
3. Patients that will undergo treatment with full fixed appliances

Exclusion Criteria

1. patients with significant medical or dental history, including patients with bleeding disorders that would require antibiotic prophylaxis
2. Pregnant women

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Text message reminders	Oral hygiene instructions	Standardized text reminding patients to brush their teeth will be sent at 5:15 PM on Thursdays
In-person oral hygiene instructions	Oral hygiene instructions	Oral hygiene instructions and motivation during visit
Text messages and in-person instructions	Oral hygiene instructions	standardized text reminding patients to brush their teeth will be sent at 5:15 PM on Thursdays and oral hygiene instructions and motivation during visit

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in 3-item Bleeding Index (BI)	8 - 12 weeks to 12 - 18 weeks	Dental examiner observation of gum bleeding during exam after wires have been removed and participant has brushed teeth. Ratings are 0=absence of bleeding after 30 seconds, 1=bleeding observed after 30 seconds, 2=immediate bleeding

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in 5-item Modified Gingival Index (MGI)	8 - 12 weeks to 12 - 18 weeks	Dental examiner observation of inflammation during exam after wires have been removed and participant has brushed teeth. Ratings are 0=Absence of inflammation, 1=Mild inflammation (marginal or papillary unit), 2=Mild inflammation (entire marginal and papillary unit), 3=Moderate inflammation, 4=severe inflammation
Change in 6 item Plaque index (PI)	8 - 12 weeks to 12 - 18 weeks	Dental examiner observation of plaque during exam after wires have been removed and participant has brushed teeth. Ratings are 0= no plaque, 1=Discontinuous band of plaque at gingival margin, 2=Up to 1-mm continuous band of plaque at gingival margin, 3=Band of plaque wider than 1 mm but less than 1/3 of surface, 4=Plaque covering between 1/3 and 2/3 of surface, 5=Plaque covering 2/3 or more of surface

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Virginia Commonwealth University; 🇺🇸 Richmond, Virginia, United States