The Anti-Plaque Efficacy of Listerine® Used in Combination with Toothbrushing in Orthodontic Patients

The bactericidal efficacy of Listerine&#174;, the essential oil-containing mouthrinse, has long been recognized. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Listerine&#174; mouthrinse, when added to the standard oral hygiene regimen, had an added benefit in reducing plaque and gingivitis development in orthodontic patients over a six-month period. 50 orthodontic patients from the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Orthodontics were assigned either to the brushing + flossing (N= 25) or brushing + flossing + Listerine&#174; (N = 25) group. At baseline (TI), measurements for the Ramfjord teeth were recorded for the gingival index, plaque index and bleeding index. Subsequent measurements were taken at 3 and 6 months (T2 and T3, respectively). The response profiles for the BI, MGI, and PI over time were significantly different (p<.001) between the two groups. Patients who had Listerine&174; mouthrinse added to their daily oral hygiene regimen exhibited significantly lower BI, MGI, and PI scores at 3 months and 6 months than the patients who only brushed and flossed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Orthodontics

Year dc:date.available

2006

Author dc:creator

• Casagrande, Zachary A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Eser Tüfecki

• oral hygiene
• decalcification
• gingivitis
• Dentistry
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Orthodontics and Orthodontology

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1355

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-2354