An interventional study of Natural Miswak (Al-Kureysh, Pakistan) and Manual Toothbrush (Colgate Zig Zag, China) in Dental Plaque and Orthodontic Patients, sponsored by Al-Hawash Private University. Completed at 1 site in Syria. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 30 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-10.
Sponsored by Al-Hawash Private University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
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?
The maintaining of excellent oral hygiene is a significant challenge for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment due to the presence of fixed brackets and archwires, which act as retentive areas for dental biofilm accumulation. While the conventional manual toothbrush is widely prescribed, the natural Miswak (Salvadora persica) serves as a popular traditional oral hygiene tool with documented mechanical and antimicrobial properties. However, there is a lack of split-mouth clinical trials directly evaluating and comparing their immediate mechanical efficacy in the presence of orthodontic appliances.
This study utilizes a split-mouth experimental design to minimize inter-individual variability, where each participant serves as their own control. The mouth of each patient is randomized to use the natural Miswak on one side and the conventional manual toothbrush on the contralateral side during a single clinical session with no subsequent follow-up.
Aim: To evaluate and compare the immediate efficacy of the natural Miswak versus a manual toothbrush (using the Modified Bass technique) in reducing dental plaque scores among a sample of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances at Al-Hawash Private University.
352 studies on the registry are indexed under Dental Plaque; 60 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 45 is below the median of 56 across 316 interventional studies indexed under Dental Plaque.
Browse Dental Plaque studies →Al-Hawash Private University is the lead sponsor of 6 studies on the registry; 4 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
50% of the mouth (Randomized half) assigned to be cleaned using the natural Miswak.
Device: Natural Miswak (Al-Kureysh, Pakistan)
The contralateral randomized side of the jaw assigned to be cleaned using a conventional manual toothbrush.
Device: Manual Toothbrush (Colgate Zig Zag, China)
* 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.
* 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.
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.
Time frame: Baseline (immediately before brushing) and Post-intervention (immediately after brushing within the same single clinical session).
Plan to share: Undecided
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Ran from May 2026 to primary completion in Sep 2026, 4 months.
Of 133 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Dental Plaque, half reached primary completion within 7 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 16. This study's 4 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 178 studies reached it within 6 months; a quarter within 2 and three quarters within 14.
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This study is completed, as verified in May 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Al-Hawash Private University