The aim of this study was to estimate the oral hygiene and gingival condition in patients with fixed prosthodontic restorations for a period of 3 months along with the oral hygiene instructions.
The study included 60 patients with fixed prosthetic appliances. Medical examinations of dental condition were carried out using basic diagnostic tools like dental mirror and periodontal probe. As well, we examine how factors, such as: age, gender, type of fixed dental prosthesis (single crown or fixed partial denture) and material (metal or porcelain fused to metal) are statistically associated with oral hygiene and gingival condition. Plaque and Gingiva index was taken according to the method of Silness and Löe. The examination was accomplished on the first dental visit, after 14 days and three months appropriately with the oral hygiene instructions.
Statistical analysis was performed by using paired sample t-test from Statistical software SPSS for Windows version 23.
A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Our results confirmed that the Plaque and Gingiva index had higher values in the first visit than that found in the other periods. Patients with crowns had better oral hygiene levels compared to fixed dental prosthesis wearers. No statistical differences were found for type of material. Also, younger patients showed better hygiene levels than the older ones.
Our research showed that adequate education and instructions for oral hygiene maintenance lead to improved oral hygiene both in patients with single crown or fixed dental prosthesis
