Comparison of the Effectiveness of Miswak and Manual Toothbrush in Removing Dental Plaque in Fixed Orthodontic Patients

NCT07619014 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 26-06-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study compares the immediate plaque removal efficacy of the natural Miswak versus a traditional manual toothbrush using the Modified Bass technique among orthodontic patients. The main question it aims to answer is: Are there statistically significant differences in the post-brushing plaque index reduction between the dental arch side cleaned with Miswak and the contralateral side cleaned with a manual toothbrush?

Conditions

Dental Plaque; Orthodontic Patients

Keywords

Toothbursh; Miswak; Siwak; Dental plaque; Orthodontic Patients; Braces

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (mQH) Score

  Mesial, distal, and mid surfaces of facial and lingual aspects were scored. Scoring was as follows: 0 = no plaque/debris 1. = separate flecks of plaque at the cervical margin of the tooth. 2. = a thin continuous band of plaque (up to 1 mm) at the cervical margin of the tooth. 3. = a band of plaque wider than 1 mm but covering less than one third of the crown of the tooth. 4. = plaque covering at least one third but less than two thirds of the crown of the tooth. 5. = plaque covering two thirds or more of the crown of the tooth. * Scores from all evaluated surfaces are summed together and then divided by the total number of sites evaluated to provide an average score for each mouth side per patient. * Plaque is disclosed using a basic fuchsin solution (VISUPLAC, Maquira, Brazil) applied via micro-applicators.

  Baseline (immediately before brushing) and Post-intervention (immediately after brushing within the same single clinical session).

Study Arms (2)

Miswak Side

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

50% of the mouth (Randomized half) assigned to be cleaned using the natural Miswak.

Device: Natural Miswak (Al-Kureysh, Pakistan)

Manual Toothbrush Side

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The contralateral randomized side of the jaw assigned to be cleaned using a conventional manual toothbrush.

Device: Manual Toothbrush (Colgate Zig Zag, China)

Interventions

Natural Miswak (Al-Kureysh, Pakistan) DEVICE

* Preparation: 1-2 cm of outer bark removed, soaked in water for 10-15 mins, and fibers frayed. * Technique: Vertical strokes (gum to tooth), horizontal on occlusal, focusing around brackets. * Duration: 3 to 5 minutes.

Miswak Side

Manual Toothbrush (Colgate Zig Zag, China) DEVICE

* Technique: Modified Bass Technique (bristles at 45-degree angle to gingival margin, short vibratory movements) modified to brush above and below orthodontic brackets. * Duration: 3 to 5 minutes.

Manual Toothbrush Side

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Patients aged between 18 and 30 years old.
• Presence of fixed orthodontic appliances (brackets and wires) on both upper and lower arches.
• Good general systemic health with the absence of any medical conditions that might affect oral health status.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of advanced or aggressive periodontal diseases.
• Current smokers.
• Use of antimicrobial or antibacterial mouthwashes within 24 hours prior to the study session.
• Systemic antibiotic intake within the past 2 weeks preceding the experiment.
• Any physical or motor disability that could hinder the patient's capacity to perform proper tooth brushing.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Al-Hawash Private University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Al-Hawash Private University, Faculty of Dentistry

Homs, Syria

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dental Plaque

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dental Deposits; Tooth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases

Study Officials

• Ali Abu Sulaiman

  Al-Hawash Private University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Fida Kaseeh, Ph.D. in Oral Medicine

  Al-Hawash Private University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ali Abu Sulaiman, Ph.D. in Periodontology

CONTACT

+963956790836; dr.ali.abousulaiman@hpu.edu.sy

Fida Kaseeh, Ph.D. in Oral Medicine

CONTACT

fidakaseeh@hpu.edu.sy

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Split-Mouth Design (Each participant receives both interventions simultaneously on opposite sides of the jaw)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 26, 2026
• First Posted: June 1, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 30, 2026
• Last Updated: June 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

SY (1)