Dental PlaqueNCT07737626
Effect of Powered Toothbrushing and Dental Flossing Sequence on Dental Plaque Removal
A study testing Powered Toothbrushing and Dental Flossing in people with Dental Plaque, run by Lokman Hekim University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized crossover clinical trial evaluated whether the sequence of powered toothbrushing and dental flossing affects dental plaque removal. Forty-six systemically and periodontally healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of two oral hygiene sequences. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Dental Plaque
- What is being tested?
- Powered Toothbrushing and Dental Flossing
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 46 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 2 May 2026to 15 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 18 and 30 years
- Systemically healthy
- Presence of at least 22 natural teeth
- No signs of active periodontal disease
- Ability to comply with the study procedures and oral hygiene instructions
- Provision of written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Antibiotic use within the previous 3 months
- Smoking
- Presence of systemic conditions known to affect periodontal health, including diabetes mellitus or immune-mediated disorders
- Ongoing orthodontic treatment
- Presence of fixed prostheses, crowns, or extensive restorations that could interfere with plaque assessment
- Professional periodontal therapy within the previous 3 months
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Severe dental crowding
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry
Ankara
About this study
Official title: Does the Sequence of Powered Toothbrushing and Dental Flossing Affect Dental Plaque Removal? A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial
This randomized crossover clinical trial evaluated whether the sequence of powered toothbrushing and dental flossing affects dental plaque removal. Forty-six systemically and periodontally healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of two oral hygiene sequences. In Group 1, participants performed powered toothbrushing followed by dental flossing during the first period and dental flossing followed by powered toothbrushing during the second period. Group 2 performed the same procedures in the opposite order. The two intervention periods were separated by a 15-day washout period, with professional prophylaxis performed to standardize oral hygiene conditions. Dental plaque was assessed before and after the oral hygiene procedures using the Plaque Index (PI) and the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI). The study aimed to determine whether performing powered toothbrushing before or after dental flossing results in greater plaque removal.
- Conditions
- Dental Plaque
- Being tested
- Powered Toothbrushing, Dental Flossing
- Medical subject headings
- Dental Plaque
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Powered ToothbrushingBehavioural
Participants will perform oral hygiene using a powered toothbrush according to the standardized study protocol. The intervention will be applied as part of the assigned brushing-flossing sequence.
Dental FlossingBehavioural
Participants will perform interdental cleaning using dental floss according to the standardized study protocol. The intervention will be applied as part of the assigned brushing-flossing sequence.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Brush-Floss Sequence (Group 1) | Experimental | Participants assigned to this sequence will first perform powered toothbrushing followed by dental flossing during the first study period. After the washout period, the order of the oral hygiene procedures will be reversed, with dental flossing performed before powered toothbrushing during the second study period. Receives: Behavioral: Powered Toothbrushing; Behavioral: Dental Flossing |
| Floss-Brush Sequence (Group 2) | Experimental | Participants assigned to this sequence will first perform dental flossing followed by powered toothbrushing during the first study period. After the washout period, the order of the oral hygiene procedures will be reversed, with powered toothbrushing performed before dental flossing during the second study period. Receives: Behavioral: Powered Toothbrushing; Behavioral: Dental Flossing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Residual Plaque Index
Residual dental plaque was assessed immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence using the Plaque Index (PI). Higher scores indicate greater residual plaque accumulation.
Measured: Immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence following 48 hours of plaque accumulation, in each study period.
Residual Buccal Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI)
Following plaque disclosure, residual plaque on the buccal tooth surfaces was assessed using the Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI), scored from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater residual plaque accumulation.
Measured: Immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence following 48 hours of plaque accumulation, in each study period.
Residual Lingual Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI)
Following plaque disclosure, residual plaque on the lingual tooth surfaces was assessed using the Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI), scored from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater residual plaque accumulation.
Measured: Immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence following 48 hours of plaque accumulation, in each study period.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jul 2026
- Study start2 May 2026
- Primary completion15 Jul 2026
- Study completion15 Jul 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Dental PlaqueStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lokman Hekim University
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sema Merve Altıngöz, Lokman Hekim University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07737626
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- LHU-2026-164
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Does the Sequence of Powered Toothbrushing and Dental Flossing Affect Dental Plaque Removal? A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07737626
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LHU-2026-164
- Conditions
- Dental Plaque
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Lokman Hekim UniversityOther government
- Study start
- 2 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Jul 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 30 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized crossover clinical trial evaluated whether the sequence of powered toothbrushing and dental flossing affects dental plaque removal. Forty-six systemically and periodontally healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of two oral hygiene sequences. In Group 1, participants performed powered toothbrushing followed by dental flossing during the first period and dental flossing followed by powered toothbrushing during the second period. Group 2 performed the same procedures in the opposite order. The two intervention periods were separated by a 15-day washout period, with professional prophylaxis performed to standardize oral hygiene conditions. Dental plaque was assessed before and after the oral hygiene procedures using the Plaque Index (PI) and the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI). The study aimed to determine whether performing powered toothbrushing before or after dental flossing results in greater plaque removal.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Brush-Floss Sequence (Group 1) | Experimental | Behavioral: Powered Toothbrushing, Behavioral: Dental FlossingParticipants assigned to this sequence will first perform powered toothbrushing followed by dental flossing during the first study period. After the washout period, the order of the oral hygiene procedures will be reversed, with dental flossing performed before powered toothbrushing during the second study period. |
| Floss-Brush Sequence (Group 2) | Experimental | Behavioral: Powered Toothbrushing, Behavioral: Dental FlossingParticipants assigned to this sequence will first perform dental flossing followed by powered toothbrushing during the first study period. After the washout period, the order of the oral hygiene procedures will be reversed, with powered toothbrushing performed before dental flossing during the second study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age between 18 and 30 years
- Systemically healthy
- Presence of at least 22 natural teeth
- No signs of active periodontal disease
- Ability to comply with the study procedures and oral hygiene instructions
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Antibiotic use within the previous 3 months
- Smoking
- Presence of systemic conditions known to affect periodontal health, including diabetes mellitus or immune-mediated disorders
- Ongoing orthodontic treatment
- Presence of fixed prostheses, crowns, or extensive restorations that could interfere with plaque assessment
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Powered ToothbrushingParticipants will perform oral hygiene using a powered toothbrush according to the standardized study protocol. The intervention will be applied as part of the assigned brushing-flossing sequence. | Behavioural | Brush-Floss Sequence (Group 1), Floss-Brush Sequence (Group 2) |
| Dental FlossingParticipants will perform interdental cleaning using dental floss according to the standardized study protocol. The intervention will be applied as part of the assigned brushing-flossing sequence. | Behavioural | Brush-Floss Sequence (Group 1), Floss-Brush Sequence (Group 2) |
Primary outcome
Residual Plaque Index
Time frame: Immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence following 48 hours of plaque accumulation, in each study period.
Residual dental plaque was assessed immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence using the Plaque Index (PI). Higher scores indicate greater residual plaque accumulation.
Residual Buccal Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI)
Time frame: Immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence following 48 hours of plaque accumulation, in each study period.
Following plaque disclosure, residual plaque on the buccal tooth surfaces was assessed using the Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI), scored from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater residual plaque accumulation.
Residual Lingual Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI)
Time frame: Immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence following 48 hours of plaque accumulation, in each study period.
Following plaque disclosure, residual plaque on the lingual tooth surfaces was assessed using the Turesky Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TQHPI), scored from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater residual plaque accumulation.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Powered Toothbrushing and Dental Flossing in people with Dental Plaque, run by Lokman Hekim University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Residual Plaque Index (time frame: Immediately after completion of the assigned oral hygiene sequence following 48 hours of plaque accumulation, in each study period.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Jul 2026.