Impact of self-ligating orthodontic brackets on dental biofilm and periodontal pathogens in adolescents

Abstract

The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate periodontal health and subgingival microbiological alterations in adolescents treated with fixed self ligating orthodontic brackets in comparison to subject without any orthodontic appliance. A total of 40 adolescents (23 females and 17 males; mean age: 13.2 ± 3.2 years) were included: 30 subjects with self ligating brackets (test group) and 10 patients without orthodontic appliances (control group). Follow-ups were as follows: T1 (1 month), T2 (3 months), T3 (6 months) from the beginning of the orthodontic therapy. Clinical parameters (plaque index, gingival index and clinical attachment level) were measured for every patient and a microbiological analysis was performed. Mann Whitney test was performed to evaluate clinical parameters between test and control group and Friedman test and Fisher test were adopted to evaluate intra group differences at different follow-ups. Student T-test was performed to compare clinical attachment level between the two groups. Significance level was set at p<0.05. No periodontal pathogens and no clinical attachment loss were found in the whole sample. A slightly higher plaque index and gingival inflammation were recorded in the test group in comparison to the controls.