title: Comparison of Contamination of Low-Frictional Elastomeric Rings with That of Conventional Elastomeric Rings by Streptococcus mutans - An In-vivo Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The presence of brackets and ligatures has been shown to be related to an increase in gingival inflammation and increased risk of decalcification. The various measures were taken to reduce the plaque accumulation and also lot of efforts were made by manufacturers that reduced the binding friction between the ligature rings and arch wire that facilitated easy sliding of the tooth through the wire. The low frictional ligatures rings manufactured by different manufacturers presumed to attract fewer bacteria due to greater reduction in surface roughness. Our study aimed to evaluate whether the low frictional elastomeric rings accumulate fewer bacteria than conventional ligature rings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients (15 males and 15 females) who underwent fixed appliance therapy were selected. The study was done using split-mouth design. In each volunteer, synergy low frictional elastomeric rings were tied to brackets bonded to the maxillary premolar on the right side and mandibular premolar on the left side. Conventional elastomeric rings that served as control group were tied to the contralateral teeth, with the same design. Samples were collected after four weeks (28 days) and cultured for bacteria Streptococcus mutans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistical difference between Streptococcus mutans count in low frictional elastomeric rings with that of conventional rings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that adherence of Streptococcus mutans is similar in both synergy low frictional elastomeric rings and conventional clear elastomeric rings and thus the manufacturer's claim of minimal bacterial adherence was discarded.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Sri Venkateswara Dental College & Hospital , Thalambur, Chennai, India .
authors.forename: Sumanth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rangarajan
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences , Mangalore, India .
authors.forename: Subraya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mogra
authors.affiliation: Pro Vice Chancellor, Manipal University, Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences , Mangalore, India .
authors.forename: V Surendra
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences , Mangalore, India .
authors.forename: Siddarth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences , Mangalore, India .
authors.forename: Nidhin Philip
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Jose
keywords: Bacteria; Ligature; O rings