Chauhan A, Mishra N, Patil D, Shinde Kamble S, Sureshkumar Soni J, Gaikwad SS, Singh R. Impact of Orthodontic Treatment on the Incidence of Dental Caries in Adolescents: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Cureus 2024;
16:e55898. [PMID:
38595882 PMCID:
PMC11002693 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.55898]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Orthodontic treatment is a widely embraced intervention aimed at enhancing dental aesthetics and correcting malocclusions among adolescents. However, concerns persist regarding its potential impact on oral health, particularly on the development of dental caries. This study aimed to systematically investigate the relationship between orthodontic treatment and the incidence of new carious lesions among adolescents.
METHODS
A prospective cohort design involving adolescents aged 12-18 years was employed. A total of 82 patients met the inclusion criteria. In addition, an age-matched control group of 82 participants who did not undergo orthodontic treatment was included. The study included both a treatment group undergoing orthodontic treatment (braces or aligners) and an age-matched control group that did not undergo any orthodontic intervention. Demographic characteristics, orthodontic treatment details, and oral hygiene practices were documented at baseline and throughout the study period. Dental examinations at six-month intervals post-treatment were conducted to track the incidence and progression of carious lesions.
RESULTS
The demographic characteristics, baseline oral health status, orthodontic treatment details, and oral hygiene practices were comparable between the treatment and control groups. Post-orthodontic treatment assessment revealed a slightly higher incidence of new carious lesions in the treatment group (14.6%) than in the control group (9.8%), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.15). Dental examinations at six-month intervals demonstrated a gradual increase in caries incidence over time in both groups, with no substantial disparities observed.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a comprehensive examination of the relationship between orthodontic treatment and the incidence of new carious lesions among adolescents. While a trend towards higher caries incidence in the treatment group was observed, the difference was not statistically significant. These findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge and emphasize the need for ongoing research to guide clinical practice.
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