OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a clinical evaluation of the periodontal conditions of a test group and a control group using three periodontal indexing systems, namely: dental biofilm index (DBI), bleeding index (BI) and pocket probing depth (PPD). METHODS: The test group consisted of 20 subjects with a mean age of 13.5 years undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment involving the use of two types of ligature: elastomeric ligature (EL) and stainless steel ligature (SSL). The results were compared with a control group without prior orthodontic treatment, comprising 15 subjects with a mean age of 15.3 years. The measurements were performed prior to orthodontic treatment (T1) and six months after placement of a fixed orthodontic appliance (T2); and in the control group, six months after the initial measurement (T2). Both groups were instructed about oral hygiene, according to the Bass technique, before treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Dental surfaces showed a statistically significant increase in levels of biofilm (P=0.000), gingival bleeding (P=0.000) and probing depth (P=0.000). When the T1 and T2 groups were compared, however, no statistically significant differences were found between EL and SSL in terms of these periodontal indexes.
Orthodontic appliances; Periodontal diseases; Biofilms
