Frequency of mechanical removal of plaque as it relates to gingival inflammation: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Aim: This single blind, randomized clinical trial evaluated the relationship between frequency of mechanical removal of plaque (MRP) and gingival inflammation.

Materials & methods: Fifty-two patients (maximum 5% of sites with gingival bleeding and no history of periodontitis) were randomized to different frequencies of MRP: 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. Plaque index (PlI) and gingival index (GI) were evaluated at baseline, 15 and 30 days. Intra- and inter-group differences were determined by repeated measures anova and mixed models anova, respectively, both followed by Tukey's test.

Results: The mean GI between baseline and 30 days remained statistically unchanged in the 12 h (0.51 ± 0.17 versus 0.63 ± 0.23, p = 0.137) and 24 h (0.43 ± 0.19 versus 0.59 ± 0.21, p = 0.052) groups, but increased significantly in the 48 h (0.48 ± 0.18 versus 0.84 ± 0.21, p = 0.001) and 72 h (0.55 ± 0.20 versus 0.94 ± 0.25, p = 0.000) groups. At 30 days, the average percentage of sites with GI scores of 1 and 2 was significantly higher in the 48 and 72 h than in the 12 and 24 h groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Frequencies of mechanical removal plaque up to 24 h may prevent an increase in the severity of gingival inflammation over a period of 30 days in patients with no history of periodontitis.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01630837.

Keywords: dental plaque; gingivitis; periodontal diseases; toothbrushing.