Availability of air powder polishing with crystalline cellulose as a prophylactic method for orthodontic patients with a multi-bracket appliance

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the air powder polishing (APP) system with crystalline cellulose with the rubber cup and pumice (RCP) method as prophylactic methods in orthodontic patients. This study included two examinations. First, 58 orthodontic patients were randomized into the APP group or RCP group, and the changes in the colony counts of salivary mutans streptococci (MS) assessed before and after the prophylactic treatment were evaluated. Assessment of MS was conducted three times: immediately before the treatment (Test 1), immediately after the treatment (Test 2), and 1 month after the treatment (Test 3). The samples were inoculated on modified Mitis-Salivarius-Bactracin (MSB) agar plates. Under the microscope, the colonies were counted. In the second experiment, using a randomized split-mouth design, half the mouths of 8 patients were treated with APP and the contralateral side with RCP by three dentists, and then the time required for plaque removal was compared. Significant reduction in the colony count of MS in the saliva was observed in both the APP and RCP groups. However, the count of MS returned to the baseline level after 1 month in both groups. APP removed dental plaques in less time than RCP. APP with crystalline cellulose is a clinically available prophylaxis method for orthodontic patients, and appears to succeed in removing the plaque more quickly.