title: Usefulness of an app in improving oral hygiene compliance in adolescent orthodontic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of an app-based approach in a protocol for domestic oral hygiene maintenance in a group of adolescent patients wearing fixed multibracket appliances.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty adolescent patients scheduled to start an orthodontic multibracket treatment were randomly divided into two groups of 40. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), white spots (WS), and caries presence were recorded in all patients, and they were instructed regarding domestic oral hygiene maintenance on the day of braces application (t0) and every 3 months (t1, t2, t3, t4) during the first year of treatment. Study group (SG) patients were enrolled in a WhatsApp chat room-based competition and instructed to share monthly with the other participants two self-photographs (selfies) showing their oral hygiene status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SG patient participation in the chat room was regular and active throughout the observation period. At t2, t3, and t4, SG patients had significantly lower values of both PI and GI and a lower incidence of new WS and caries, compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Integration of new "social" technologies in a standard oral hygiene motivation protocol is effective in improving compliance of adolescent patients and in improving their oral health status during orthodontic multibracket treatment.
authors: a  PhD student, Doctoral School in Life and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Zotti
authors: b  Researcher, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Dalessandri
authors: c  Associate Professor, Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Salgarello
authors: d  Researcher and Aggregate Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors: Mariagrazia
authors: M
authors: Piancino
authors: e  Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Bonetti
authors: f  Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Visconti
authors: g  Professor and Dean, Chair of the Orthodontic Postgraduate Program, School of Dentistry, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Corrado
authors: C
authors: Paganelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D010512:Periodontal Index
keywords: Adolescent; App; Compliance; Oral hygiene; Orthodontics