Salivary nickel and chromium in subjects with different types of fixed orthodontic appliances

The aim was to investigate nickel and chromium concentrations in saliva of patients with different types of fixed appliances. Saliva samples were collected from 47 orthodontic patients, ages 8 to 30 years. Four samples from each subject were collected: (1) before insertion of the appliance, (2) 1 to 2 days after, (3) 1 week after, and (4) 1 month after insertion of the appliance. A considerable variation in the concentrations of both nickel and chromium was observed. No significant differences were found between the no-appliance samples and the samples obtained after insertion of the appliances. The results suggest that nickel and chromium concentrations of saliva are not significantly affected by fixed orthodontic appliances during the first month of treatment.