Influence of orthodontic appliances on the occurrence of Candida spp. in the oral cavity

Abstract

Use of orthodontic appliances creates favorable conditions for growth of dental bacterial plaque. To establish if use of orthodontic appliance affects the presence of Candida species in the oral cavity in a group of pediatric patients. We studied 60 patients between 4 and 10 years old, requiring treatment with orthodontic appliances. Samples were taken of the oral cavity before orthodontic treatment and six months after use began. Samples were inoculated in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Candida CHROMagar®. Candida species confirmation and identification was done by multiple PCR, and results analyzed with a chi-squared test. Candida presence was greater (p < 0,001) in the samples taken six months after use began than in the initial samples. Before treatment, the most frequently found species (percentage of studied patients) was C. albicans (8.3%), while after treatment it was C. tropicalis (20.0%). Use of orthodontic appliances in children increases Candida species presence in the oral cavity. Preventative measures should be taken to avoid oral candidiasis, particularly in immunosuppressed patients.