Oral Hygiene Status and Experience of Orthodontic Appliance Breakage Among Adolescents and Young People Treated at Smiles Dental Clinic, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: Treatment of malocclusion with fixed orthodontic appliances can create some stagnations that harbour plaque with concomitant obstruction to conventional oral hygiene procedures.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to assess oral hygiene status, and determine its effect on treatment duration and orthodontic appliance failure among adolescent and young orthodontic clients treated at Smile Dental Clinic.

Methods: A retrospective study covering the period between 2019 and 2022 was conducted at Smile Dental Clinic. A total of 176 dental records of adolescent and young orthodontic clients aged 10 to 24 years were accessed to collect information on oral hygiene status, number of dental visits, missed scheduled appointments, socio-demographics and status of brackets and molar tube breakages.

Results: A high proportion of female (71.4%) and young orthodontic clients aged 20 – 24 years (50.6%) had good oral hygiene. A significantly high proportion of clients in boarding schools (67.8%) and those who frequently missed scheduled appointments (91.9%) had poor oral hygiene status. Treatment duration was longer for clients with poor oral hygiene (30.5 months versus 26.8 months) but those with good oral hygiene made significantly fewer numbers of dental visits (8 versus 10). Clients with poor oral hygiene were 9 and 14 times more likely to experience broken molar tubes and broken brackets respectively. 

Conclusion: Oral hygiene of adolescent and young orthodontic clients treated is sub-optimal and affects the rate of orthodontic appliance failure and duration of fixed orthodontic treatment duration. Increased exposure to oral hygiene messages through frequent dental visits may help to motivate clients to maintain good oral hygiene.