title: Analysis of supra- and subgingival long-term biofilm formation on orthodontic bands.
abstract: Insertion of fixed orthodontic appliances induces increased biofilm formation caused by a higher number of plaque-retentive sites. The purpose of the study was to perform a quantitative analysis of supra- and subgingival long-term biofilm formation on orthodontic bands. Ten patients (five females and five males, aged 18.3+/-5.4 years) who had received therapy with fixed orthodontic appliances for 24+/-9 months were enrolled in the study. Biofilm formation on 28 orthodontic bands was analyzed quantitatively with the Rutherford backscattering detection method, a scanning electron microscopy technique. The biofilm formation for the supra- and subgingival surfaces was calculated from the grey values. Statistical analysis was performed with a mixed model with the patient as the random factor. A P-value <0.05 was considered significant. A biofilm was found on 16.1+/-9.2 per cent of supragingival surfaces and on 3.6+/-4.4 per cent of subgingival surfaces. Differences in biofilm formation in supra- and subgingival surfaces were statistically significant (P<0.05) and formed a distinct demarcation line. Despite the presence of supragingival biofilm, no mature subgingival biofilm was found on the tested orthodontic bands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Demling.Anton@mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demling
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heuer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elter
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heidenblut
authors.forename: Fr-W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwestka-Polly
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stiesch-Scholz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018441:Biofilms / Q000145:classification*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000382:microbiology*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D055815:Young Adult