title: Plaque index in multi-bracket fixed appliances.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the plaque index in patients receiving multi-bracket fixed orthodontic treatment for various factors like age, gender, socio-economic status, brushing practices, meal habits, types of brackets, types of ligations, use of mouthwash and duration of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Orthodontics Clinic, The Aga Khan University Hospital, from September to November 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Socio-demographic and clinical modalities were defined and recorded for 131 patients having multi-bracket fixed appliances. The plaque index of subjects were recorded according to the Silness and Loe plaque index method. Independent sample t-test was used to see difference in plaque index in factors having two variables. One way ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey tests were used to see difference in plaque index in factors having three variables. Kappa statistics was used to assess inter examiner reliability. P-value of ≤ 0.05 was taken to be significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample comprised of 37% males (n = 48) and 63% females (n = 83). The plaque index had statistically significant association with practice of brushing i.e., timing of brushing (p=0.001), method of brushing (p=0.08), type of ligatures (p=0.05) and frequency of visits (p=0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The plaque accumulation is significantly decreased in subjects who brush the teeth twice or more than twice a day and those who brush their teeth after breakfast. The use of interdental brush and stainless steel ligatures had significantly low plaque. Subjects presenting with more frequent appointments of short-period had significantly less plaque.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Zafar Ul
authors.initials: ZU
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Attiya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Mubassar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fida
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000145:classification*; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D010512:Periodontal Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult