title: Gingival response in orthodontic patients: Comparative study between self-ligating and conventional brackets.
abstract: Orthodontic brackets contribute to the accumulation of bacterial plaque on tooth surfaces because they hinder oral hygiene. In contrast to conventional brackets, self-ligating brackets do not require additional parts to support the arches, thus improving dental hygiene. The aim of this study was to compare the gingival response in orthodontic patients wearing self-ligating or conventional brackets. A sample of 22 patients aged 16 to 30 years was divided into two groups: Group A, treated with selfligating brackets (Damon system) and Group B, treated with conventional brackets (Roth technique). The following were assessed during the treatment: Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI) and Probing Depth (PD), and sub-gingival samples were taken from teeth 14/24 for microbiological observation. No statistically significant difference was found between Groups A and B; p>0.05 (sign-ranked) or between PI, GI and PD at the different times (Friedman's Analysis of Variance), even though the indices were found to increase at 14 days, particularly for self-ligating brackets. The quantity and quality of microorganisms present were compatible with health on days 0, 28 and 56. As from day 14 there is a predominance of microbiota compatible with gingivitis in both groups. In the samples studied, orthodontic treatment increases bacterial plaque and inflammatory gingival response, but gingival-periodontal health can be maintained with adequate basic therapy. Self-ligating and conventional brackets produced similar gingival response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Alejandra A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Folco
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Sandra C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Benítez-Rogé
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Calabrese
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pelizardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Alcira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Marisa I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Brusca
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hecht
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: María E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mateu
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D020724:Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000382:microbiology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018713:Prevotella intermedia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013144:Spirochaetales / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C415948:Copper NiTi; D003722:Dental Alloys; D020724:Elastomers; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium