Effectiveness of oral hygiene protocol in patients with post-traumatic splinting.
OBJECTIVE
In dental trauma with severe periodontal tissue involvement, as dental avulsion and severe luxation, the splinting procedure requires the patient to maintain a scrupulous hygiene of the affected zone, so to allow an effective tissue healing. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a specific oral hygiene protocol in the treatment of patients with post-traumatic splinting, comparing the plaque indexes of dental hygienist-helped patients versus not helped.


METHODS
This study was carried out on 82 selected patients with post-traumatic splinting due to traumatic avulsion and severe luxation. They were divided into 2 groups, comparable for age, sex, type of trauma and splinting. The group A patients underwent an oral hygiene protocol, managed by a dental hygienist, while the group B patients were followed without the help of the hygienist. Plaque indexes were observed and compared in all cases during 6 weeks-follow up.


RESULTS
Our results showed that at the 6th week follow up the plaque indexes of dental hygienist-assisted traumatized patients were significantly (p=0.001) lower than those of not assisted patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, the role of dental hygienists is essential in the management of dental trauma with periodontal damage, which needs specific oral hygiene protocols.
Pasini
S
S
University of Brescia, Dental Clinic, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Italy.
Bardellini
E
E
Casula
I
I
Flocchini
P
P
Majorana
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010516:Periodontal Splints; D014084:Tooth Avulsion / Q000628:therapy*