Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the microbial changes in children with fixed orthodontic appliances compared with a control group of children without orthodontic treatment. Material and MethodsNinety-five children, aged between 12 and 16 years, participated in this study. Forty-eight subjects were fitted with fixed orthodontic appliances and forty-seven were free of any such appliances. The follow-up was 6 months for all children. The association between orthodontic appliances and high levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp was assessed with logistic regression models, taking age, sex, pH and buffer capacity into account. ResultsDifferences at baseline between the two groups were not statistically significant. We found that wearing a fixed orthodontic appliance was associated with high levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp (adjusted OR: 6.65, 95% CI [1.98-22.37]; 9.49, 95% CI [2.57-35.07], respectively), independently of other variables. ConclusionThe originality of the present epidemiological study was to evaluate the evolution of salivary microbial parameters in a population of children with fixed orthodontic appliances. Our results show an increase of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp values during the follow-up. The whole dental workforce should be aware that preventive measures are of paramount importance during orthodontic treatment.
Highlights
Orthodontic treatment consists of the placing of orthodontic appliances to correct the bite22 and achieve long-lasting balanced occlusion
Fixed orthodontic appliances have been found to induce specific changes in the oral environment, such as increased plaque accumulation5, raised Streptococcus mutans colonization8,18,23,26, and increases in Lactobacillus spp24, which are closely associated with dental caries29
Multivariate analysis In the multivariate analyses, we found that wearing a fixed orthodontic appliance was an independent risk factor for high levels of Streptococcus mutans (Table 2) and Lactobacillus spp (Table 3)
Summary
Orthodontic treatment consists of the placing of orthodontic appliances to correct the bite and achieve long-lasting balanced occlusion. Fixed orthodontic appliances have been found to induce specific changes in the oral environment, such as increased plaque accumulation, raised Streptococcus mutans colonization, and increases in Lactobacillus spp, which are closely associated with dental caries. Some studies investigating interactions between orthodontic material, microorganisms, and saliva have not detected specific associations between orthodontic appliances and clinical or microbial outcomes whereas others have . 7,15,21,25 Peros, et al. (2011) presented new data on the salivary microbial changes with time caused by the placement of fixed orthodontic appliances. As in some other investigations, a significant increase in Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp in saliva was found after the start of fixed orthodontic
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