Time to Rethink

Abstract

Orthodontic appliances have always been a factor impeding oral hygiene maintenance, resulting in plaque accumulation and enamel demineralization. But method of ligation as an additional factor has been evaluated by very few.New non-conventional ligation methods are available, which reduces the friction (eg.Slide modules), but the amount of plaque accumulation with them is a concern. So, the aim of this study was to determine changes in microbial flora and periodontal status with two different archwire ligation techniques-ie conventional elastomeric modules and Slide TM (Leone Orthodontic Product). METHOD: 10 Orthodontic patients were selected for this split-mouth study and two auxiliaries (elastomeric rings and Slide modules) for ligating archwires were tested. Microbial and periodontal records were obtained before bonding (T0), one day later (T1), and four weeks after bonding (T2). Paired t-test was applied to compare the groups statistically. RESULT: The slide modules were associated with a higher score for plaque, bonded bracket plaque index, bleeding and greater number of microbial colonies than elastomeric modules (P<0.05). Whereas no significant increase in gingival index and pocket depth was observed. CONCLUSION: Slide modules favors plaque accumulation and it should be used cautiously in patients with poor oral hygiene.

Microbial Colonization on Elastomeric Ligatures during Orthodontic Therapeutics: An Overview

“…They are user friendly but tend to deteriorate in the mouth leading to subsequent loss of tooth control. They are said to have a tendency of high level of frictional resistance and are affected by the duration of force and environment (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Elastomers have been the focus of studies pertaining to their force delivery and force degradation (17)(18)(19)(20)(21).…”