[Evaluation of oral and orthodontic appliance hygiene in orthodontically treated patients].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral hygiene of orthodontically treated patients. The hygiene of orthodontic appliances was also examined. Two kinds of research were conducted. Approximal Plaque Index and the presence of tartar on orthodontic appliances were clinically assessed. At the same time patients were questioned on their oral hygiene habits (mainly concerning the ways and frequency of cleaning their teeth and appliances). Ninety seven patients were examined, age 8-49 years, 72 were treated with removable, 25 with fixed appliances. It was found that oral hygiene of examined patients was unsatisfactory without correlation to the kind of appliance used. The tartar was more frequently present on removable appliances, fixed ones had more plaque.