Table 4 Plaque Index evaluation

Plaque index

At 3 months

No plaque

20 (33.3%)

4 (6.7%)

 < 0.001^a

A film of plaque adhering to the free gingival margin, cannot be seen with the naked eye

36 (60.0%)

44 (73.3%)

Moderate accumulation of deposits in the gingival pocket, on gingival margin and/or adjacent tooth surface, can be seen by the naked eye

4 (6.7%)

12 (20.0%)

At 6 months

No plaque

47 (79.7%)

24 (40.0%)

 < 0.001^a

A film of plaque adhering to free gingival margin, cannot be seen by naked eye

12 (20.3%)

36 (60.0%)

At 12 months

No plaque

58 (100.0%)

48 (80.0%)

0.001^a

Film of plaque adhering to the free gingival margin, cannot be seen with naked eye

0 (0.0%)

12 (20.0%)

Baseline

1.85

2.07

1.63

At 3 months

3.56

3.45

3.67

At 6 months

2.58

2.41

2.73

At 12 moths

2.02

2.07

1.97

p-value

 < 0.001^b

 < 0.001^b

 < 0.001^b