Effect of orthodontic fixed appliances on salivary flow and viscosity

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of orthodontic fi xed appliances on salivary fl ow and viscosity. Material and methods: Saliva samples from 44 patients between 10-34 years old of both genders were assessed in Trujillo, Peru. Twenty-two of them received orthodontic fi xed appliances and the other 22 did not receive then and served as control. Samples for the evaluation of salivary fl ow and viscosity before and one month after orthodontic fi xed appliances placement were obtained. To quantify salivary fl ow, 5 minutes was clocked to obtain saliva in a test tube and then make measurements using a 10 mL test tube millimeter. To measure viscosity, 5 mL of saliva was collected and calculated by the formula of the relative viscosity (VR = time of 5 mL saliva/time to 5 mL of water) using a viscometer. For comparison of salivary fl ow and viscosity before and a month after the Wilcoxon test was used because the data did not exhibit a normal distribution. A signifi cance level of 5% was considered. Results: Statistically signifi cant differences (p < 0.05) in salivary fl ow and viscosity were found before orthodontic fi xed appliances placement and one month after, showing an increase in salivary flow and a decrease in salivary viscosity. Conclusion: The use of orthodontic fixed appliances affects salivary fl ow and viscosity month after placement.Key words: Salivary fl ow, salivary viscosity, fi xed orthodontic appliances.