[Effects of orthodontic treatment on individual caries risk parameters]

Systemic and microbiological caries risk factors were assessed in 49 children and adolescents, age 11-14. The subjects were divided into three groups with similar age profiles. At the time of investigation members of test group 1 (n = 19) were receiving orthodontic therapy with removable appliances. Members of test group 2 (n = 15) were treated with fixed appliances and the control group (n = 15) had not been subjected to any kind of orthodontic treatment at all. The results demonstrate, that patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances harbor significantly more salivary S. mutans and therefore are at a higher microbiological risk to develop caries than patients being treated with removable appliances or individuals receiving no orthodontic treatment at all.