Dental caries during orthodontic treatment: a review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is a dynamic, non-transmissible and multifactorial disease caused by the acid generated by bacterial plaque. It is a very common pathology in the population, which in turn presents various risk factors that are often difficult to identify. Objective: The objective of this research is to provide a broader view of dental caries during orthodontic treatment, not as specific clinical signs, but in a more comprehensive way, including all the associated factors involved. Methods: A database search was conducted to obtain appropriate articles. The following databases were consulted: Pubmed, Medline, and The Cochrane Library, from 2010 to 2022. Results: The results showed that there is an association between caries disease and the use of orthodontics, where the risk of presenting caries lesions increases in those who use orthodontic appliances and also have a higher risk of developing white spot lesions than those who do not use orthodontic appliances. It is also noted that the preventive use of different remineralizing agents could be useful in reducing the incidence of white spot lesions. Conclusión: We can conclude that there is an association between the use of orthodontics and the presence of dental caries, with the white spot being the most studied sign of this. More studies are required with a methodology focused on caries as a complex and multifactorial phenomenon.