Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants
Published on: June 24, 2018
Biocompatibility of orthodontic bands following exposure to dental plaque
Sandra Hornikel1, Christina Erbe, Irene Schmidtmann
1Department of Orthodontics, Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Augustusplatz 2, 55131, Mainz, Germany. hornikel@uni-mainz.de
Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the biocompatibility of orthodontic bands following exposure to the human oral environment.
Methods:
Cell adherence and cell morphology of gingival fibroblasts grown on 32 orthodontic bands were tested. The bands were in place intraorally for 6 to 37 months.
Results:
We observed cell adherence in 76% of the previously plaque-free surfaces. Cell morphology was 50% spherical and 50% elongated. The surfaces that had had plaque attached demonstrated cell adherence in 84% of the given areas; those cells were spherical in 42% and elongated in 58%.
Conclusion:
We conclude that individual oral hygiene habits during orthodontic treatment seem to have no effect on the biocompatibility of orthodontic bands, as we failed to discern a difference in either cell adherence or cell morphology in areas with and without prior plaque attachment.
