Influence of Three Different Oral Hygiene Practices on the Success of Orthodontic Miniscrews

Abstract

Context:
The success of orthodontic miniscrews is influenced by multiple factors, among which post-insertion oral hygiene plays a critical role in maintaining peri-implant health and ensuring implant stability.

Aims:
To evaluate the effect of three different oral hygiene practices on the success of orthodontic miniscrews placed for en-masse anterior retraction following first premolar extractions in adult patients.

Setting and Design:
A prospective study conducted in a tertiary hospital to assess the effectiveness of three oral hygiene regimens among patients undergoing fixed orthodontic appliance therapy.

Materials and Methods:
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three oral hygiene protocols for 12 weeks:

1. Twice-daily tooth brushing

2. Twice-daily tooth brushing plus twice-daily warm saline mouth rinse

3. Twice-daily tooth brushing plus twice-daily 0.12% chlorhexidine mouth rinse

Gingival inflammation and miniscrew mobility were assessed at day 7, week 4, week 8, and week 12 post-insertion. Statistical analyses were performed using the Chi-square test, with significance set at p < 0.05 and confidence level at 95%.

Results:
A total of 60 miniscrews were placed in 18 participants, divided into three groups of six participants each based on the assigned oral hygiene practice. Significant differences in peri-implant gingival inflammation were observed across groups at day 7 (p = 0.010), week 4 (p = 0.010), and week 12 (p = 0.010) post-insertion.

Conclusion:
Adjunctive use of warm saline or chlorhexidine mouth rinses did not provide a significant additional benefit in peri-implant stability or miniscrew success when compared to routine tooth brushing alone.