0= No calculus present.
1= Supragingival calculus covering not more than one third of the exposed tooth surface.
2= Supragingival calculus covering more than one third but not more than two-thirds of the exposed tooth surface, or the presence of individual flecks of subgingival calculus around the cervical part of the tooth, or both.
3= Supragingival calculus covering more than two-thirds of the exposed tooth surface, or a continuous heavy band of subgingival calculus around the cervical portion of the tooth, or both.
Gingival Status (Gingivitis Index):
0= Absence of signs of inflammation.
1= Mild to moderate inflammatory gingival changes, not extending around the tooth.
2= Mild to moderately severe gingivitis extending all around the tooth.
3= Severe gingivitis characterized by marked redness and swelling, tendency to bleed, and ulceration dental implant machine.
Control and experimental group determinants: Anyone scoring 3 or greater in either or both scales was placed in the experimental group. Five of the 30 patients were already using adjuncts to clean around the wire. I assigned them to the control group.
Each member of the control group was already using either Soft-Pick, the sharp end of a floss stick, Water Pik, or Super Floss. They had inflamed and blunted papilla, bleeding on probing and calculus covering the retainer wires Dental Chair. Because they were already using an adjunctive cleaning situation for the permanently bonded retainer wire, and the gingival index was not greater then 2, I didn’t want to disrupt their good habits.
Each patient in this study was given a lesson on the circular method of brushing.
The experimental group patients were given an end-tufted toothbrush, in addition, and instruction on its use.
Results for experimental group:
1 water picker. Initial visit: 25 patients average scores:
Calculus Index: 3
Gingival Status: 3
2. First six-month recare visit: 25 patients average scores:
Calculus Index: 0.5 – 1 .0
Gingival Status: 0.5
3. Second recare visit: 25 patients average scores:
Calculus Index: 0.5 – 1 .0
Gingival Status: 0.5