Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
CUMHURIYET DENTAL JOURNAL, cilt.28, sa.2, ss.132-140, 2025 (Scopus)
Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a uniquely developed mobile app on oral hygiene motivation and treatment compliance in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment in comparison to traditional oral hygiene instructions. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, controlled clinical trial, 50 orthodontic patients having fixed treatment were equally divided into two groups: a mobile app (e-tel (ortomobil)) and a control group. The control group received only traditional communication, consisting of verbal and written instructions at the start of treatment. Patients assigned to the mobile app group were provided with the ability to reschedule their appointments via the app, engage in direct chat with their orthodontist, and receive periodic notifications to remind them of oral hygiene motivation in addition to standardized hygiene instructions. Periodontal scores were obtained at 4 week intervals during three appointments (T1-T3) using the gingival index (GI), bleeding index (BI), and planimetric plaque quantification (PI) on photographs. Student’s t-test and Mann Whitney U test were used for intergroup comparisons and evaluation of repeated measurements (p<0.05). Results: GI and BI scores were significantly lower in the mobil app group than in the control group at T3 (p =0.001, p < 0.01). The PI scores did not show a statistically significant result at the end of the third month (p> 0.05). The use of mobile app increased patients' compliance. Conclusions: A uniquely developed mobile app effectively maintained the oral hygiene motivation of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment and contributed to an improvement in their treatment compliance.