Increase in detectable opportunistic bacteria in the oral cavity of orthodontic patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to detect the opportunistic bacteria and fungi from the oral cavities of orthodontic patients and examine the ability of the organisms to adhere to saliva-coated metallic brackets.


METHODS
Opportunistic bacteria and fungi were isolated from 58 patients (orthodontic group: 42; non-orthodontic group: 16) using culture methods and were identified based on their biochemical and enzymatic profiles. Seven opportunistic and four streptococcal strains were tested for their ability to adhere to saliva-coated metallic brackets.


RESULTS
More opportunistic bacteria and fungi were detected in the orthodontic group than in the non-orthodontic group (P < 0.05). Opportunistic bacteria adhered to saliva-coated metallic brackets to the same degree as oral streptococci.


CONCLUSIONS
The isolation frequencies of opportunistic bacteria and fungi increase during orthodontic treatment, suggesting the importance of paying special attention to oral hygiene in orthodontic patients to prevent periodontal disease and the aggravation of systemic disease in immunocompromised conditions.
Kitada
K
K
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
de Toledo
A
A
Oho
T
T
D000202:Activator Appliances; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D016972:Enterobacter cloacae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000145:classification*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000382:microbiology*; D018704:Orthodontic Retainers; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult
D003722:Dental Alloys