Will a text message remind patients to listen to their orthodontist?

Researchers have examined the efficacy of mobile reminders in improving adherence to oral hygiene and elastics use among orthodontic patients.

In a prospective study published in the Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics, the researchers examined the outcomes of 124 patients aged 12 to 20 years undergoing orthodontic treatment at baseline and after six and 12 weeks. The patients were broken into two groups, in which the researchers assessed either oral hygiene or use of class II intermaxillary elastics. Each group was further divided into three groups: those receiving text message reminders, those receiving video message reminders and controls. The participants received messages twice weekly for 12 weeks.

The researchers discovered that there were no statistically significant differences in plaque index and ginigival index scores between the patients in both message groups and controls. However, intragroup comparisons demonstrated that both scores increased at baseline, six weeks and 12 weeks among those who received message reminders and controls. After 12 weeks, the patients in the text message and video message groups had lower overjet measurements compared with controls.

Although oral hygiene worsened over time regardless of the mobile reminders, the use of Class II intermaxillary elastics improved among those who received the reminders.

Read more: PracticeUpdate

The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.