title: Longitudinal assessment of periodontal status in patients with nickel allergy treated with conventional and nickel-free braces.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform a longitudinal comparison of periodontal status in allergic individuals treated with conventional and nickel-free braces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two individuals allergic to nickel were randomly divided into two groups: those receiving conventional braces (n  =  21) and those receiving nickel-free braces (n  =  21). Periodontal status (gingival hyperplasia, change in color and bleeding) was assessed before treatment (T0) and at 3-month intervals for 12 months (T1, T2, T3, and T4), using the Löe Index. Evaluations were performed blindly by a single, calibrated examiner, followed by prophylaxis and orientations regarding oral hygiene. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test for comparisons of the gingival index between groups and Friedman's test for successive comparisons between sessions in the same group (P ≤ .05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Periodontal status did not differ between groups in the initial 9 months of treatment, whereas significant differences were found at T3 and T4 (.039 and .047, respectively). Individuals wearing conventional appliances had higher mean gingival index scores than those wearing nickel-free braces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with an allergy to nickel exhibit better periodontal health when treated with nickel-free braces than with conventional braces.
authors: Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais-UFMG, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil.
authors: Camila Alessandra
authors: CA
authors: Pazzini
authors: Leandro Silva
authors: LS
authors: Marques
authors: Maria Letícia
authors: ML
authors: Ramos-Jorge
authors: Gilberto Oliveira
authors: GO
authors: Júnior
authors: Luciano José
authors: LJ
authors: Pereira
authors: Saul Martins
authors: SM
authors: Paiva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010512:Periodontal Index
chemical_list: D009532:Nickel