Efficacy of a mobile phone application for the improvement of oral hygiene of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment: A randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVESThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of a mobile phone application (app) to improve oral hygiene of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted with a total of 60 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment in two groups: intervention and control (n = 30 each). A previously designed mobile app (Labkhand) was used by patients in the intervention group. Orthodontic plaque index (OPI) and modified gingival index (MGI) were recorded in the two groups at baseline (first session or T0), and after 1 (T1) and 3 (T2) months. The number of debonded/broken brackets was also recorded, and pain score of the patients was assessed at nine time points. Data were analyzed using the χ2 test, paired t‑test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA; α = 0.05). RESULTSThe two groups demonstrated no significant difference in OPI and MGI at T0 (P > 0.05). OPI and MGI at T1 and T2 were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONThe Labkhand mobile app successfully improved oral hygiene indices of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, and decreased the frequency of broken brackets after 1 and 3 months of use.