Oral Microbiome in Orthodontic Acrylic Retainer

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Dental Science
• Oral Health

Background:

• Acrylic retainers can alter the oral microbiome with prolonged use.
• Understanding plaque composition is crucial for preventing dental caries and gingivitis.
• The oral microbiome plays a significant role in maintaining oral health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize bacterial communities adhering to acrylic retainers using full-length nanopore 16S sequencing.
• To compare the effectiveness of different cleaning methods on retainer-associated bacteria.
• To investigate the impact of cleaning on the oral microbiome's homeostatic balance.

Main Methods:

• Six healthy participants were divided into chemical tablet and brushing groups.
• Plaque samples were collected from acrylic retainers before and after cleaning.
• Full-length nanopore 16S rRNA gene sequencing was employed for bacterial community analysis.

Main Results:

• Seven distinct bacterial phyla were identified, with Firmicutes being the most prevalent.
• Streptococcus was the most common genus, followed by Neisseria, Rothia, and Gemella.
• A significant difference in beta diversity was observed between pre- and post-cleaning samples (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• A combination of chemical and mechanical cleaning is the most effective method for eliminating retainer biofilms.
• Retainer cleaning tablets alone did not significantly alter the homeostatic balance of the oral bacterial communities.
• Maintaining retainer hygiene is essential for managing the oral microbiome and preventing oral diseases.