Effectiveness of Metronidazole Gel and Mobile SMS Reminders on Gingivitis in Orthodontic Patients

Summary

A rapid deterioration in oral hygiene occur after bonding of orthodontic appliances. Zachrisson and Zachrisson have reported that even after maintaining excellent oral hygiene, patients usually experience mild to moderate gingivitis within 1-2 months after orthodontic appliance placement. Slutzkey and Levin have reported a prevalence of 72 % gingivitis in orthodontic patients.

The difficulty in maintenance of oral hygiene and inefficient removal of supragingival plaque due to the appliances lead to development of gingivitis and hyperplasia. Tooth brush access to the buccal surface of the teeth becomes problematic and predisposes plaque buildup around the brackets.

Investigators are now focusing on the development of localized drug delivery systems that can allow maximum concentration on the target site, thus minimizing the potential systemic effects. Metronidazole has been used by several researchers due to its selective antimicrobial activity against the obligate anaerobes. The topical administration in gel form has several advantages. Miani et al concluded that the use of metronidazole gel significantly reduces the total bacterial count in the gingival crevicular fluid.

In medicine and dentistry, active mobile telephone short-message service (SMS) reminders have been used to improve patient compliance and positive behavior changes. A study conducted by Epprighta et al have reported the effectiveness of SMS reminder in orthodontic patients. They have reported significantly lower bleeding, gingival and plaque indices scores in SMS reminder group as compared to control.

Rationale:

The application of metronidazole gel is effective in management of gingivitis in patients undergoing orthodontic therapy. Additionally, the constant reminder therapy at weekly interval would also lead to improvement in the oral hygiene. According to pertinent literature survey, none of the study has been conducted to compare the effectiveness of SMS reminders and use of anaerobic gel to reduce gingival inflammation.

Null Hypothesis:

Application of 0.8% metronidazole gel and mobile telephone short-message service oral hygiene reminders is equally effective in reducing the gingival inflammation in orthodontic patients with gingivitis as compared to control group.

Objective:

The objectives of the study will be to assess the use of topical gel or mobile telephone short-message service oral hygiene reminders can reduce gingivitis in orthodontic patients as compared to control group.

Conditions

• Gingivitis

Interventions

DRUG

Metronidazole gel

The application of metronidazole gel is effective in the management of gingivitis in patients undergoing orthodontic therapy. Additionally, the constant reminder therapy at weekly interval would also lead to improvement in the oral hygiene.16 According to pertinent literature survey, none of the study has been conducted to compare the effectiveness of SMS reminders and use of anaerobic gel to reduce gingival inflammation.

OTHER

SMS text reminder

Subjects will be provided biweekly reminder via 'SMS text reminder' in the form of text message reinforcing oral hygiene. Additionally, patients will be given standard oral hygiene instructions on the visit with a placebo gel topically instructed to apply on the marginal gingiva for the next 4 weeks, twice a day for 30 minutes, after morning and evening tooth brushing.

OTHER

Placebo gel

Group C will be subjects will be given standard oral hygiene instructions on the visit with a placebo gel topically instructed to apply on the marginal gingiva for the next 4 weeks, twice a day for 30 minutes, after morning and evening tooth brushing.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Aga Khan University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mubassar Fida, BDS, FCPS · Consultant

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-05-23

Primary Completion

2018-11-30

Completion

2018-11-30

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations