Review Article

Year : 2025 | Volume : 16 | Issue : 1 | Page : 48-62

Effects of Digital Health Interventions on Oral Hygiene and Treatment Compliance in Orthodontic Patients: A Systematic Review

Shekhar K Asarsa 1, Manisha Singh 2, Mansi Mehta 1, Vibhuti Madhad 4, W R Gnanasagar 5, P Hema 6

1,3-Tutor, Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics, 4-Tutor, Department of Periodontology, Siddhpur Dental College & Hospital, Dethali, Patan, Gujarat, India, 2-Consultant Orthodontist, New Delhi, India, 5-Reader, Department of Periodontics, Priyadarshini Dental College and Hospital, Thiruvallur, 6-Reader, Department of Periodontics, Adhiparasakthi Dental College, Melmaruvathur, India

Address for Correspondence:

Dr Shekhar K Asarsa

Tutor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics

Siddhpur Dental College & Hospital,

Dethali, Patan, Gujarat, India

E-mail: shekh.asarsa95@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Oral hygiene and treatment compliance are critical for successful orthodontic outcomes. Despite their importance, patient non-adherence remains a significant challenge, contributing to complications such as plaque accumulation, gingivitis, and delayed treatments. Digital health interventions, including mobile apps, telemonitoring, and gamified platforms, offer innovative approaches to address these issues.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of digital health interventions in improving oral hygiene and treatment compliance among orthodontic patients, compared to traditional methods.

METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted across databases including MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Scopus. Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) assessing digital health tools in orthodontics were included. Data were extracted and analyzed descriptively, focusing on outcomes such as Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), compliance rates, and patient engagement.

RESULTS: Seven studies involving 504 participants aged 10–36 years were included. Digital tools demonstrated consistent improvements in oral hygiene, with significant reductions in PI and GI. Gamified apps, motivational protocols via social platforms, and telemonitoring enhanced compliance and reduced white spot lesions. However, short study durations and variability in interventions limited long-term effectiveness assessments.

CONCLUSION: Digital health interventions show promise in enhancing orthodontic care by improving oral hygiene and compliance. Further research with standardized methodologies, long-term follow-up, and cost-effectiveness analyses is needed to validate their integration into routine practice.

KEYWORDS: Orthodontics, Digital health interventions, Oral hygiene, Patient compliance, Mobile health (mHealth), Telemonitoring, Gamification.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

SOURCE OF FUNDING

This research received no external funding.
How to cite this article: Shekhar K Asarsa, Manisha Singh, Mansi Mehta, Vibhuti Madhad, W R Gnanasagar, P Hema. Effects of Digital Health Interventions on Oral Hygiene and Treatment Compliance in Orthodontic Patients: A Systematic Review. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2025; 16 (1): 48-62.