Influence of bracket design on microbial and periodontal parameters in vivo.
OBJECTIVE
To compare undisturbed plaque formation on teeth bonded with different types of orthodontic brackets with non-bonded control teeth, via a de novo plaque growth experiment over a 7-day period.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial with split-mouth design was set up enroling 16 dental students. Within each subject sites with Speed(S) and GAC(G), brackets and control sites were followed. Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline, on days 3 and 7. Microbiological samples were taken from the brackets and the teeth on days 3 and 7.


RESULTS
Both anaerobe and aerobe colony-forming units (CFU) were significantly higher in S-sites than in G-sites (p=0.0002, p=0.02). The shift from aerobic to anaerobic species was observed earlier in S-sites than in G-sites. The aerobe/anaerobe CFU ratio was significantly lower in S-sites than in G-sites (p=0.01). On day 3, the crevicular fluid flow was significantly higher in S-sites than in control sites (p=0.01). On day 7, S-sites and G-sites showed a significantly higher crevicular flow than control sites (both p<0.0001). More hypertrophy was seen in S- than in G- and control sites (p=0.05). No significant differences for bleeding on probing were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Bracket design can have a significant impact on bacterial load and on periodontal parameters.
van Gastel
Jan
J
Department of Orthodontics, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. johannes.vangastel@med.kuleuven.ac.be
Quirynen
Marc
M
Teughels
Wim
W
Coucke
Wim
W
Carels
Carine
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D005886:Gingival Hypertrophy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000209:etiology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric