Biofilm formation in Haas palatal expanders with and without use of an antimicrobial agent: an in situ study

Author(s)

Bagatin, Cristhiane Ristum ; Damiao Andrucioli, Marcela Cristina ; Lima Ferreira, Jose Tarcisio ; Nakane Matsumoto, Mirian Aiko ; Bezerra da Silva, Raquel Assed ; Bezerra da Silva, Lea Assed ; Romano, Fabio Lourenco ; Nelson-Filho, Paulo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE; v. 80, n. 5, p. 471-477, MAY 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Orthodontic appliances causes specific alterations in oral environment, including reduction of pH, increase of dental biofilm and elevation of salivary microbial levels, causing an increased risk for dental caries. This study evaluated, using microbial culture and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the in situ contamination by mutans streptococci (MS) of different surfaces of Haas palatal expanders with and without use of chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinses (CHX). Thirty-four patients were randomly assigned to two groups (n=17/group), using placebo (Group I) and 0.12% CHX (Group IIPeriogard((R))) mouthrinses twice a week. After 4months, appliances were submitted to microbiological processing and after fragments were analyzed by SEM. Mann-Whitney U test (=5%) was used to assess differences between groups on the appliances' different surfaces and to compare the contamination on the free and nonfree surfaces of these components. There was no difference (p=0.999) between groups regarding the number of MS colonies/biofilms on the nonfree surfaces, which showed intense contamination. However, free surfaces of Group II presented less contamination (p<0.001) than those of Group I in all appliances' components. Results of the microbial culture were confirmed by SEM. Use of 0.12% CHX was effective in reducing the formation of MS colonies/biofilms on free surfaces of Haas expanders, in situ. (AU)