Microbial Colonization on Elastomeric Ligatures during Orthodontic Therapeutics: An Overview

Abstract

The current review focuses on the studies conducted on the colonization of microorganisms on orthodontic ligatures during orthodontic treatment. The fixed orthodontic appliances have long been associated with an increase in plaque accumulation, bacterial colonization, and resultant enamel decalcification. Voluminous research has been carried out on the microbial colonization of even newer orthodontic materials such as elastomeric ligatures with an evidence of variably increased microbial counts during orthodontic treatment. However, conclusive material-based data for minimal microbial colonization to establish acceptance criteria for the use of elastomeric ligatures are hardly available. Thus, there is a need for further studies with dual emphasis on exploring microbial associations based on surface chemistries of different elastomers and their requisite modifications for hampering microbial biofilms to evolve efficacious oral health friendly orthodontic ligatures.

Comparison of the microbial flora from different orthodontic archwires using a cultivation method and PCR: A prospective study

“…The effects of fixed orthodontic appliances on dental plaque retention and microbial flora have been evaluated in previous studies . Many researchers have found the increased risk of white spot lesions due to increased microbial plaque accumulation .…”

“…Several studies have reported increases in the amounts of cariogenic microorganisms including S mutans and Lactobacillus in the dental plaque and the saliva of patients after the bonding of orthodontic appliances. Similarly, we found a higher prevalence of S mutans than the other bacterial species in all archwires.…”

Control de la placa dental en pacientes con ortodoncia. Una revisión de la literatura

“…En los últimos años las consideraciones estéticas han cobrado mayor importancia por lo que ha llevado a una disminución de costos tanto en tratamientos de estética como de ortodoncia; adicionalmente hay un mayor número de profesionales entrenados lo que brinda más opciones de atención para los pacientes (1)(2)(3)(4) .…”

“…Uno de los tratamientos más utilizados es el uso de brackets que en promedio dura aproximadamente dos años, esta condición favorece la retención de placa dental y obliga al paciente a esmerar su cuidado bucal a fin de prevenir caries dental o enfermedad periodontal (1,5) . Un adecuado control de placa, aplicando la técnica de cepillado dental correcta puede ayudar a prevenir la aparición temprana de la caries o enfermedad periodontal, sin embargo, el tipo de aditamento utilizado en los pacientes, el acercamiento que tenga el paciente con su profesional, también es importante (6,10) .…”

“…Frecuentemente después del tratamiento ortodontico se presentan caries y enfermedad periodontal (1,2,5,9) . Los casos de enfermedad periodontal pueden exacerbarse durante el tratamiento (2,8,19) .…”