title: Salivary microbial and nonmicrobial parameters in children with fixed orthodontic appliances.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the physiologic changes of salivary flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity and the levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 23 patients scheduled for fixed orthodontic therapy. All subjects received equal braces, bands, and brackets, bonded with the same material. Stimulated saliva samples were taken before placement of the appliance, and at weeks 6, 12, and 18 during the therapy. Salivary flow rate and salivary pH were measured, and the salivary buffer capacity was determined. Saliva samples were cultivated on selective microbial agar for microorganism detection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant (P < .05) increase in stimulated salivary flow rate and salivary pH was found. The salivary levels of S mutans and Lactobacillus spp also inscreased significantly (P < .05), and the major peak was at week 12 of fixed orthodontic therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 6th to 12th week of orthodontic therapy is the period of the most intensive intraoral growth of S mutans and Lactobacillus spp and a time of very intensive salivary functions and physiologic response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. peros@sfzg.hr
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peros
authors.forename: Senka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mestrovic
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anic-Milosevic
authors.forename: Mladen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Slaj
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002021:Buffers; D002648:Child; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D001840:Dental Bonding; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000254:growth & development*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D003722:Dental Alloys; D019279:Resin Cements; C477790:Transbond XT; C040654:titanium nickelide; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium