title: Dental plaque associated with self-ligating brackets during the initial phase of orthodontic treatment: A 3-month preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To compare changes in the amount and distribution of dental plaque associated with placement of elastomeric modules over a self-ligating bracket during orthodontic treatment and to relate these changes to the periodontal inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-arch randomization trial was carried out at Bristol Dental School, United Kingdom. Clinical measurements of periodontal inflammation and plaque accumulation and microbiological test were done on 24 patients aged 11-14 years [Mean (SD) age = 12.6 (1.01) years] wearing fixed appliances (Damon 2 brackets, Ormco, Orange, CA, USA) at the start and 3 months into fixed orthodontic treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first 3 months of treatment there was no statistically significant difference in bleeding on probing between incisors with and without elastomeric modules (P = 0.125 and 0.508, respectively). The difference in plaque accumulation was not statistically significant (P = 0.78). The difference in probing depths between the incisors was not statistically significant (P = 0.84). The microbiological analysis showed no difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this preliminary 3 months study, elastomeric modules were not significantly associated with any increased risk during treatment when compared to self-ligating brackets. The longer term studies are needed to further confirm the findings of the present study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Bneid Al-Gar Specialty Dental Center, Ministry of Health, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Saud A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Al-Anezi
keywords: Dental plaque; microbiological analysis; orthodontic treatment; periodontal inflammation; self-ligating brackets