Skip to content
Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Orthodontic Appliances and Microbial Dysbiosis: Insights and Implications

Sandhya Maheshwari, Ameen Ashraf M P, Shariq Ahmad, Saba Khan

South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology · pp. 41–51 · Published 16 Aug 2024

10.9734/sajrm/2024/v18i8381

Abstract

Orthodontic treatment can lead to significant changes in the oral microbiome, potentially resulting in dysbiosis associated with increased risk of gingivitis and caries. The complex hard-soft tissue structures in the mouth harbour a diverse bacterial community, with around 700 different species identified. Orthodontic appliances, such as fixed braces, can alter the oral environment, leading to changes in the composition and abundance of oral microorganisms. Studies have shown that fixed orthodontic appliances, including brackets and bands, can influence the colonization of periodontal pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, which are associated with periodontal diseases. These appliances can also increase the levels of cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli, which are linked to dental caries. On the other hand, clear aligners have been found to have a lesser impact on the oral microbiome compared to traditional braces, with some studies suggesting that they may even reduce the negative effects on periodontal health. However, clear aligners can still lead to changes in the oral microbiome, including increases in bacteria associated with gingivitis and periodontitis. Overall, orthodontic appliances can significantly alter the oral microbiome, potentially leading to dysbiosis and increased risk of oral diseases. Proper oral hygiene instructions and monitoring are essential to minimize these risks during orthodontic treatment.

Fixed orthodontic appliances removable orthodontic appliances cariogenic bacterias periodontal pathogens

References (44)

  1. 1 Gingival condition associated with orthodontic treatment. [DOI]
  2. 2 Exploring the oral microbiota of children at various developmental stages of their dentition in the relation to their oral health [DOI]
  3. 3 Yeasts, enteric rods and pseudomonads in the subgingival flora of severe adult periodontitis [DOI]
  4. 4 Emerging role of bacteria in oral carcinogenesis: a review with special reference to perio-pathogenic bacteria [DOI]
  5. 5 Clinical and microbiological effects of fixed orthodontic appliances on periodontal tissues in adolescents [DOI]
  6. 6 High correlation between the bacterial species in denture plaque and pharyngeal microflora [DOI]
  7. 7 Microbial profile on metallic and ceramic bracket materials. [DOI]
  8. 8 Subgingival microbiome in smokers and non‐smokers in Korean chronic periodontitis patients [DOI]
  9. 9 White-spot Lesions and Gingivitis Microbiotas in Orthodontic Patients [DOI]
  10. 10 Effect of Orthodontic Appliances on Oral Microbiota—6 Month Follow-up [DOI]
  11. 11 The impact of fixed orthodontic appliances on oral microbiome dynamics in Japanese patients [DOI]
  12. 12 The dynamics of the oral microbiome and oral health among patients receiving clear aligner orthodontic treatment [DOI]
  13. 13 Influence of lingual bracket position on microbial and periodontal parameters in vivo [DOI]
  14. 14 Composition and in vitro corrosion of orthodontic appliances [DOI]
  15. 15 Effect of removable orthodontic appliances on oral colonisation by mutans streptococci in children [DOI]
  16. 16 The effect of fixed orthodontic appliances on the oral carriage of Candida species and Enterobacteriaceae [DOI]
  17. 17 Candidal carriage and plaque distribution before, during and after removable orthodontic appliance therapy [DOI]
  18. 18 The Effect of Fixed Orthodontic Appliances and Fluoride Mouthwash on the Oral Microbiome of Adolescents – A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial [DOI]
  19. 19 The Denture-Associated Oral Microbiome in Health and Stomatitis [DOI]
  20. 20 Influence of bracket design on microbial and periodontal parameters in vivo [DOI]
  21. 21 Archwire Ligation Techniques, Microbial Colonization, and Periodontal Status in Orthodontically Treated Patients [DOI]
  22. 22 Periodontal and microbiologic evaluation of 2 methods of archwire ligation: Ligature wires and elastomeric rings [DOI]
  23. 23 Increase in detectable opportunistic bacteria in the oral cavity of orthodontic patients [DOI]
  24. 24 Molecular detection of in-vivo microbial contamination of metallic orthodontic brackets by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization [DOI]
  25. 25 Comparative evaluation of salivary microbial levels and periodontal status of patients wearing fixed and removable orthodontic retainers [DOI]
  26. 26 Oral microbiota carriage in patients with multibracket appliance in relation to the quality of oral hygiene [DOI]
  27. 27 Changes in the Microbiome of the Inner Surface of Clear Aligners After Different Usage Periods [DOI]
  28. 28 Microbial profile in different orthodontic appliances by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization: An in-vivo study [DOI]
  29. 29 Effects of amine fluoride and probiotic mouthwash on levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis in orthodontic patients: A randomized controlled trial [DOI]
  30. 30 Clinical and microbiological findings at sites treated with orthodontic fixed appliances in adolescents [DOI]
  31. 31 Influence of lingual orthodontic therapy on microbial parameters and periodontal status in adults [DOI]
  32. 32 Ligature wires and elastomeric rings: two methods of ligation and their association with microbial colonization of streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli
  33. 33 The Effect of Removable Orthodontic Appliances on Oral Microbiota: A Systematic Review [DOI]
  34. 34 Assessment of Periodontopathogens in Subgingival Biofilm of Banded and Bonded Molars in Early Phase of Fixed Orthodontic Treatment [DOI]
  35. 35 Cytotoxic effect of orthodontic appliances [DOI]
  36. 36 Cytotoxic and antibacterial effects of orthodontic appliances [DOI]
  37. 37 Unusual Multiple Production of N-Acylhomoserine Lactones a by Burkholderia sp. Strain C10B Isolated from Dentine Caries [DOI]
  38. 38 MICROBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT.
  39. 39 Quantitative Analysis of Biofilm Formation On Labial and Lingual Bracket Surfaces [DOI]
  40. 40 Oral Microbiome in Orthodontic Acrylic Retainer [DOI]
  41. 41 Effects of three orthodontic retainers on periodontal pathogens and periodontal parameters [DOI]
  42. 42 influence of fixed orthodontic retainer on oral microbiota [DOI]
  43. 43 An In Vivo Study on the Development of Bacterial Microbiome on Clear Orthodontic Retainer [DOI]
  44. 44 Candida albicans: Colonization, role and effects of this opportunistic pathogen on orthodontic appliances

Cited by 4

Shear Bond Strength of Orthodontic Brackets on Demineralized Enamel Before and After Application of a Resin Infiltrant Remineralizing Agent: An In Vitro Study

Ahmed Almahrul, I. Yonemitsu, T. Tabata · Dental journal · 2026

Impact of Clear Aligners on the Oral Microbiome: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

M. Tabone, C. Carreras-Presas, N. Cenzato · Clinical and Experimental Dental Research · 2026

Showing 2 of 4 known citations — external sources report more than can currently be individually listed.

Related research

Article metrics

Real usage data collected on this platform.

53

Page views

0

PDF downloads

6

Outbound clicks

4

Citations

Views over time

Views by country

Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".

Traffic sources

Referring site, by host.

Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.