Self-ligating Brackets May Not Have Clinical Advantages Over Conventional Brackets for the Periodontal Health of Adolescent Orthodontic Patients

An Evaluation of Microbial Flora, Alkaline Phosphatase and IL-8 Levels in GCF of Orthodontic Patients with Self-Ligating and Conventional Brackets

PURPOSE

To compare the microbial flora, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels during orthodontic treatment with self-ligating brackets versus conventional brackets.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty patients were included in this study and distributed equally between two groups. One group received conventional edgewise brackets while the other group received DAMON self-ligating brackets. Periodontal parameters were recorded and biochemical and microbial analyses were conducted before bonding (baseline), and 14, 30, and 45 days after bonding. Paired t-test was performed to estimate the intergroup differences from the baseline at the various time points; unpaired t-test was used for intragroup comparisons.

RESULTS

A significantly higher prevalence of gram-negative as well as gram-positive microorganisms was found in the group with conventional brackets than that with self-ligating brackets. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were significantly higher in the gingival crevicular fluid of the group with conventional brackets than that with self-ligating brackets.

CONCLUSION

The conventional bracket-ligature technique exhibited an increase in IL-8 levels, ALP activity, and microbial colonization compared with that of the self-ligature technique. Accordingly, self-ligating brackets are recommended in orthodontic patients to improve periodontal health and minimize damage outcomes of periodontal tissue interventions.