Effectiveness of Ortho-Buddy on Plaque Control in Orthodontic Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether the Ortho-Buddy toothbrush can improve plaque removal in adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. The main question it aims to answer is: Does using the Ortho-Buddy toothbrush, alone or together with a standard toothbrush, reduce dental plaque more effectively than using a standard toothbrush alone? Researchers compared three brushing methods to see which was most effective for plaque removal. Participants: * Had dental plaque disclosed and measured before brushing * Brushed for 2 minutes using either a standard toothbrush, the Ortho-Buddy toothbrush, or a combination of both * Had dental plaque measured again immediately after brushing.

Inclusion Criteria: * Full complement of permanent teeth from first molar to first molar * Presence of full fixed orthodontic appliances on both arches for at least two weeks * Patients who had undergone premolar extractions for orthodontic purposes were eligible Exclusion Criteria: * Poor systemic health * Professional dental cleaning or scaling within two weeks before the study * Documented poor oral hygiene * History of tobacco use * Presence of a heart murmur * History of rheumatic fever * Pregnancy * Current chronic antibiotic therapy or antibiotic use within one month before the study * Chronic NSAID use * Chronic steroid use