A clinical comparison of the efficacy and efficiency of two professional prophylaxis procedures in orthodontic patients

This study compared the efficacy and efficiency of two professional prophyl axis procedures in orthodontic patients performing different oral hygiene r egimens: the air powder polishing system (APP), and the rubber cup and pumi ce (RCP) technique. Sixty-two patients were divided into two groups: group I included 40 subjec ts who did not use any chlorhexidine mouthwash and group II comprised 22 su bjects who regularly rinsed with a chlorhexidine mouthwash (at a 0.12 per c ent concentration) and showed increased tooth staining. Using a split-mouth experimental design, the buccal and lingual tooth surfa ces were cleaned in half of the mouth by the APP and in the opposite half b y the RCP technique. Tooth surfaces were scored before (PRE) and after (POS T) the experimental procedures for the plaque index (PI), and for the prese nce of tooth staining. In addition, the treatment time required by each pro cedure was recorded. In test group I, significant reductions in the PI after APP and RCP were ob served. Likewise, in test group II, both procedures significantly reduced t he baseline PI values. In both experimental groups, the percentage of stain ed sites significantly decreased after APP and RCP, but in test group II, A PP seemed to be more effective than RCP. In addition, APP required signific antly less time than RCP to remove dental plaque and staining. These data s how that both professional prophylaxis procedures are effective in orthodon tic patients, with APP being the most time-efficient technique and the most effective method for removal of tooth staining.