Oral Hygiene Status of Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment

The aim of the present study was to evaluate oral hygiene status of patients receiving fixed orthodontic treatment and to monitor it longitudinally. Main sample consisted of one hundred patients with an age range of 12-25 years, having a full complement of permanent dentition, reporting to the orthodontic department of the Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore. Patients having major medical problems, history of having antibiotics, orthodontic treatment and smoking were excluded. Community Periodontal Index was used to assess the periodontal status of these patients. From these 100 patients, 20 patients having good oral hygiene and in need of fixed orthodontic treatment were selected, and their periodontal status was assessed before and during fixed orthodontic treatment. Data was analyzed by using SPSS (Version 8.0) in personal computer. Results showed that periodontal status of patients receiving orthodontic treatment significantly worsened after the placement of fixed orthodontic appliances