The Effect of Visual Feedback and Self‐Scaling on Plaque Control Behavior

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Abstract
Psychological factors are involved in inducing patients to practice the plaque control necessary for periodontal health. It is suggested that oral hygiene behavior can be modified by increasing visual feedback by means of optical devices, and by giving patients the task of scaling their own teeth. The optical devices used for intraoral inspection must be specifically designed for this task. A pilot study was undertaken to test the modification in plaque control behavior in patients using a specially-designed optical system and performing self-scaling. Twelve patients participated in the study; six were given optical devices and taught self-scaling and plaque control, whereas the other six acted as controls, received a scaling from a hygienist, and were taught plaque control. All subjects received 3 hours of chairside time. Before treatment both groups had mean PHP indiced (plaque) of 3.2. Five months after the completion of treatment, the experimental group had a mean PHP index of 0.7, whereas the control group had a score of 1.9. The patients performing self-scaling demonstrated that they could remove supragingival calculus and extrinsic stains as effectively as a trained hygienist.

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