Effectiveness of air polishing as a method of oral prophylaxis in the orthodontic setting: a systematic review protocol

Objective:The objective of this review is to evaluate and synthesize the evidence for the effectiveness of air polishing as a method of oral prophylaxis in the orthodontic setting.Introduction:Orthodontic treatment to adjust tooth and jaw alignment typically involves wires and bands that trap plaque, thus increasing the risk of developing dental caries. Oral prophylaxis to maintain oral hygiene and prevent tooth and gum disease is typically done through conventional methods or air polishing. There have been no systematic reviews published that evaluate the effectiveness of these prophylactic techniques in this setting. This systematic review will focus on air polishing in the orthodontic setting only.Inclusion criteria:This review will consider studies with children and adult orthodontic patients undergoing oral prophylaxis as well as prophylaxis of orthodontic appliances. Studies to be included will investigate air polishing with powders compared to any other powder or method of oral prophylaxis. Air polishing versus no intervention will also be included. A range of clinical outcomes will be examined including treatment times and patient comfort as well as adverse effects on orthodontic appliances.Methods:The JBI approach to critical appraisal, study selection, data extraction, and synthesis will be used. Databases to be searched will include PubMed, Embase, DOSS, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Unpublished literature will be searched in ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar. Only studies in English will be considered, with no publication date restriction.