Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy for the management of gingivitis and white spot lesions in fixed orthodontic patients: A systematic review

AIM

We conducted this review to evaluate the safety and efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for the management of gingivitis and white spot lesions (WSLs) in fixed orthodontic patients.

METHODS

The PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched for randomized controlled trials and clinical trials assessing the clinical effectiveness of aPDT for the management of gingivitis and WSLs in fixed orthodontic patients without time limitation. Primary outcomes were the changes in clinical parameters such as DIAGNOdent, plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and gingival index (GI). Secondary outcomes included measurements of microbial and inflammatory factors, such as cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin-1 beta [IL-1β], and interleukin-6 [IL-6]), and bacterial counts.

RESULTS

Our search yielded a total of 12 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Among the 11 studies that evaluated gingivitis, the majority employed a diode laser (670nm, 150 mW, 22J/cm2, 60seconds) as the light source and methylene blue at a concentration of 0.0005% (applied for 3minutes) as the photosensitizer in a single treatment session. The included studies reported positive effects of aPDT on gingivitis management, with more improvements observed in PI, BOP, and GI following aPDT treatment. Additionally, aPDT was found to reduce the counts of periopathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, as well as inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). Two studies demonstrated that aPDT, particularly when administered in multiple sessions, effectively controlled the extent of WSLs during orthodontic treatment and yielded favorable outcomes that persisted for several months after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Based on the available evidence, aPDT appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for managing WSLs and gingivitis in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. However, further high-quality RCTs are necessary to investigate the impact of potential confounding factors on the efficacy of aPDT.

[Microbial Diversity and Community Analysis of Dental Plaques in Orthodontic Patients Wearing Invisible Appliances and Fixed Appliances]

Objective

To explore the microbial diversity and community structure of dental plaques in orthodontic patients with invisible appliances and fixed appliances and to study the differences.

Methods

Ten orthodontic patients wearing invisible appliances (I) and ten wearing fixed appliances (F) were recruited. Dental plaques were collected from both buccal (B) and lingual (L) sides. Based on 16S rDNA, 40 dental plaque samples were analyzed after Illumina sequencing.

Results

The microbial diversity, abundance and evenness of the FB group were significantly higher than those of the IB and IL groups (P<0.05), while the FL group showed substantial individual differences. The community structures were generally similar among the four groups, but significant differences in the relative abundance of some bacteria were found. The IB group showed higher abundances of Actinomycetes and Rosella (P<0.05), which were considered to be involved in dental caries and periodontal diseases. Some key communities showing significant differences were significantly enriched in the FB group, including Coprobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterobacterium, Lactobacillus, etc..

Conclusion

Dental plaques in patients wearing invisible appliances and fixed appliances showed significantly different microbial abundance, diversity and composition, which may be involved in orthodontic complications such as dental caries and periodontal diseases. Orthodontic patients need strengthened measures for oral hygiene maintenance, no matter what kind of appliances they wear.

A Comparative Assessment of the Effect of Professional Oral Hygiene Measures on the Periodontal Health of Patients Undergoing Fixed Orthodontic Appliance Therapy

BACKGROUND

Fixed orthodontic treatment provides good alignment and improves the maxilla-mandibular and dentoalveolar function. The present study was conducted to evaluate fixed orthodontic patients' periodontal condition with professional oral hygiene measures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One-hundred and twenty patients undergoing fixed orthodontics were included in the study, divided with 60 patients in the control group (Group I) and the other 60 in the experimental group (Group II). Periodontal indices were compared.

RESULTS

In Group I, there were 40 females and 20 males, and in Group II, there were 35 females and 25 males. The mean gingival index was 0.62 and 1.14, plaque index was 0.94 and 1.38, and pocket depth was 1.50 and 1.68 at T0 and T1 in Group I, respectively. The mean gingival index was 0.80 and 1.14, plaque index was 1.2 and 0.81, and pocket depth was 1.31 and 1.57 at T0 and T1 in Group II, respectively.

CONCLUSION

For patients undertaking orthodontic fixed appliance therapy, professional oral hygiene measures can significantly improve periodontal health.