Abstract
Objective: To compare levels of nickel and chromium in serum and urine in orthodontic patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances. Material and Methods: Nickel and chromium ion concentration were measured in serum and urine of twenty patients (12 females and 8 males, aged 17-28 years old) who had fixed orthodontic treatment using Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. The samples were taken before treatment (Baseline), two months, and six months later during treatment. Data were analyzed using repeated ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc test, and paired t-tests. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Average serum nickel level changed from 6.420 ppb to 6.855 ppb. Average serum chromium level changed from 5.305 ppb to 5.505 ppb in 6 months. Average urinary nickel level changed from 5.320 ppb to 5.610 ppb. Average urinary chromium level changed from 5.370 ppb to 5.520 ppb in 6 months. There was a statistically significant difference in serum (p<0.001) and urinary chromium (p=0.007) levels between observation times. Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment might raise both urinary and serum nickel levels, but the differences were not statistically significant; the alterations in chromium levels were not consistent; nickel levels were higher in serum than in urine; chromium levels were higher in urine than in serum.
Highlights
Metal is the main component of fixed orthodontic appliances
Material and Methods: Nickel and chromium ion concentration were measured in serum and urine of twenty patients (12 females and 8 males, aged 17-28 years old) who had fixed orthodontic treatment using Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
Orthodontic treatment might raise both urinary and serum nickel levels, but the differences were not statistically significant; the alterations in chromium levels were not consistent; nickel levels were higher in serum than in urine; chromium levels were higher in urine than in serum
Summary
Metal is the main component of fixed orthodontic appliances. Due to various pressure (force), temperature fluctuation, a variety of food, and electrochemical reactions, the metal ion can release into the saliva, which is acting as a medium for continuous erosion over time [1,2]. The conditions like lowered salivary pH, high salt diet, soft drinks, fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthwashes, can influence the ion release of metal [3]. The stainless steel as a major component of brackets, wires, and bands, is resistant to stain and corrosion, they are not resistant to temperature, or the microbiological and enzymatic environments in the oral cavity. It contains approximately 18% chromium (Cr), 8% nickel (Ni), iron, and carbon, which can be absorbed by the body. A high percentage of nickel (50%) can be found in NiTi (nickel-titanium) wire [3,4]
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