Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify changes in the oral environment with clinical, salivary and bacterial risk markers after placement of fixed orthodontic appliances on permanent dentition. Material and Methods: With ethical approval, we used different techniques to analyzed clinical, salivary and bacterial risk markers in 34 patients (mean age, 16.7 ± 5.2 years), 14 males and 20 females; before starting orthodontic treatment and 1 month after. Clinical risk markers (decayed, missing, and filled surfaces [DMFS], O'Leary´s plaque index, and plaque pH); salivary markers (unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate, buffer capacity, pH, and occult blood in saliva) and bacterial counts (Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus). Data were analyzed by paired t-test and χ 2 test. Results: This study showed that orthodontic appliances increased the stimulated salivary flow rate (p=0.0001), buffer capacity (p=0.0359), salivary pH (p=0.0246) and occult blood in saliva (p=0.0305). Bacterial levels increased slightly after 1 month of treatment, without statistical significance. Between genders, initially we observed differences in: stimulated saliva (p=0.0019), buffer capacity (p=0.0381) and plaque pH (p=0.0430); after treatment the unstimulated saliva (p=0.0026) showed differences. Conclusions: Orthodontic treatment changes the oral environmental factors, promotes an increase in stimulated flow rate, buffer capacity and salivary pH, which augment the anti caries activity of saliva. In contrast, increased occult blood indicated more gingival inflammation, apparently because augmented the retentive plaque surfaces and the difficult to maintain a good oral hygiene, rinsed the bleeding in saliva by periodontal damage.

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Moderate to high levels of academic stress, younger age and lower salivary flow rate represent risk factors for the development of dental caries in students.

Context:The fluoride release of sealants in vitro shows a marked decrease. Giomers are distinguishable from manufactured resin-based sealants and contain prereacted glass-ionomer particles (PRG).Aims:To compare the amounts of fluoride released from the main pit and fissure of a resin-based sealant with that from a Giomer and to assess the abilities of the sealant and the Giomer to recharge when exposed to regular use of fluoride rinse.Materials and Methods:The readings for the fluoride concentration were carried out for 60 days using a fluoride ion-specific electrode. After this period, the samples were recharged using a fluoride mouth rinse. The amount of fluoride released after this recharge was determined for 5 days. The data were analyzed using Student's t- and analysis of variance tests.Results:In general, all materials presented higher fluoride release in the first 24 h; G1 and G4 showed a higher fluoride release in this period. On the other hand, G3 and G1 presented the most constant fluoride release until the 8th day, wherein all the sealants considerably decreased in the amount of fluoride released.Conclusion:G1 and G3 released higher concentrations of fluoride, although no significant differences were found. Giomers recharged in the first 24 h after polymerization presented an improved and sustained fluoride release.

Objective: To identify clinical, salivary, and bacterial changes during orthodontic treatment with follow-up to 24 months. Methods: In 30 patients, clinical (decayed, missing, and filled surfaces [DMFS], O'Leary's plaque index, and plaque pH), salivary (unstimulated and stimulated saliva, buffer capacity, pH, and occult blood), and bacterial (Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus) markers were evaluated. A questionnaire was employed to evaluate their hygienic-dietary habits. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, logistic regression and Spearman's correlation. Results: DMFS increased significantly, whereas the plaque index diminished, plaque pH was more acidic (p = 0.23), and unstimulated salivary flow showed significant differences during the treatment (p = 0.013). Stimulated saliva flow increased in females after the placement of appliances; buffer capacity was diminished in males during the therapy; salivary pH remained at basal values. Bacterial levels and occult blood increased to high-risk levels and were not statistically significant different between genders (p ＞ 0.05). Two major relationships were confirmed: initial plaque with use of dental aids (r = 0.429; p = 0.018) and final DMFS with unstimulated salivary flow (r = −0.372; p = 0.043). Conclusions:The increase in retentive surfaces increased the bacterial levels, plaque pH became acidified, and gingival damage was greater. Buffer capacity was altered but maintained a healthy salivary pH during the treatment.