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Title |
In Pediatric Patients, Use of Removable Orthodontic Appliances May Lead to an Increased Risk of Dental Caries |
Clinical Question |
In pediatric patients, does use of a removable orthodontic appliance increase the risk of dental caries? |
Clinical Bottom Line |
The use of removable appliances is another variable to consider when determining the caries risk status of patients, as these patients have been found to harbor a higher frequency of the caries-promoting bacteria Streptococcus mutans. |
Best Evidence |
(you may view more info by clicking on the PubMed ID link) |
PubMed ID |
Author / Year |
Patient Group |
Study type
(level of evidence) |
#1) 11767275 | Batoni/2001 | 147 patients aged 8-10 years | Cross Sectional Study | Key results | S. mutans, which is associated with the onset of dental caries, was isolated in more children who had been using removable appliances for at least 6 months (n=53) (60.4%) compared to the control group of children who have never undergone orthodontic therapies (n=94) (47.8%), but not at statistically significant levels (P > 0.05). However, S. mutans was isolated at a statistically significant (P<0.01) higher frequency on the occlusal surfaces of teeth in currently caries-free pediatric patients that use removable orthodontic appliances (83.3%) compared to the control group (34.1%). This increased frequency of caries causing bacteria could put those patients who use removable orthodontic appliances at higher risk for developing dental caries. | |
Evidence Search |
"Orthodontic Appliances, Removable"[Mesh] AND "Dental Caries"[Mesh] |
Comments on
The Evidence |
Validity: The study above has a reasonable expectation of good validity, as patient groups were similar at the start of the study, and patient groups were treated the same. However, it is not stated if the study’s investigators were blinded to the patient’s orthodontic appliance status or if there were competing interests. Completion rate of the participants, patient follow-up, compliance, and recall bias did not play a role in this study, based on the study design.
Perspective: Long-term studies are needed to determine the caries incidence in patients wearing removable orthodontic appliances, as opposed to simply their S. mutans frequency. However, orthodontic patients who use removable appliances should still be carefully monitored for caries development. |
Applicability |
This study used subjects that would be a good representation of pediatric patients who are old enough for removable orthodontic appliance use, as the 147 patients included in the study were 8-10 years old. Adding in use of a removable orthodontic appliance as an additional factor to consider in patients caries risk status should be feasible in any dental office setting, as pediatric patients caries risk status and caries development is closely monitored at each appointment anyway. |
Specialty/Discipline |
(Orthodontics) (Pediatric Dentistry) |
Keywords |
Caries risk, Orthodontics
|
ID# |
2816 |
Date of submission: |
03/30/2015 |
E-mail |
fortanely@livemail.uthscsa.edu |
Author |
Beatriz E. Fortanely |
Co-author(s) |
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Co-author(s) e-mail |
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Faculty mentor/Co-author |
Kelly C. Lemke, DDS |
Faculty mentor/Co-author e-mail |
LemkeK@uthscsa.edu |
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?) |
post a rationale |
None available | |
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Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs) |
post a comment |
None available | |
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