Plaque retention by self-ligating vs elastomeric orthodontic brackets: quantitative comparison of oral bacteria and detection with adenosine triphosphate-driven bioluminescence.
BACKGROUND
Enamel decalcification is a common problem in orthodontics. The objectives of this randomized clinical study were to enumerate and compare plaque bacteria surrounding 2 bracket types, self-ligating (SL) vs elastomeric ligating (E), and to determine whether adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-driven bioluminescence could be used for rapid assessment of bacterial load in plaque.


METHODS
Patients (ages, 11-17 years) were bonded with SL and E brackets in 14 maxillary and 12 mandibular arches by using a split-mouth design. Recall visits were at 1 and 5 weeks after bonding. Plaque specimens were assayed for oral bacteria and subjected to ATP-driven bioluminescence determinations with a luciferin-based assay.


RESULTS
In most patients, teeth bonded with SL attachments had fewer bacteria in plaque than did teeth bonded with E brackets. At 1 and 5 weeks after bonding, the means for SL vs E brackets were statistically lower for total bacteria and oral streptococci (P <0.05). ATP bioluminescence values were statistically correlated to the total oral bacteria and oral streptococci, with correlation coefficients of 0.895 and 0.843, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
SL appliances promote reduced retention of oral bacteria, and ATP bioluminescence might be a useful tool in the rapid quantification of bacterial load and the assessment of oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment.
Pellegrini
Peter
P
Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Sauerwein
Rebecca
R
Finlayson
Tyler
T
McLeod
Jennifer
J
Covell
David A
DA
Maier
Tom
T
Machida
Curtis A
CA
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate