Intensity of dental caries in teenagers treated with fixed appliances

Introduction
The goal of orthodontic treatment is the improvement of oral health. Unfortunately, orthodontic therapy carries a risk of complications. Most frequent reported problem is dental caries.

Objectives
The aim of this work was an assessment of intensity of dental caries and dental treatment index in young patients treated with fixed appliances.

Material and methods
Study included 144 patients, aged 12-18 years. The patients were divided into 2 groups, including one group with orthodontic treatment and one control group. The study was conducted in 3 stages, such as before orthodontic treatment, after a month, and after 6 months of therapy. Decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) value and caries treatment index were assessed.

Results
Distribution of DMFT values in the first, second, and third stages of the study was not statistically different (p > 0.05) in the group with orthodontic treatment and control group. However, statistically significant difference was found in the assessment of DMFT changes in the group having orthodontic treatment during half-year observation period. The DT value was observed to decrease (from 0.67 to 0.33), while FT value increased significantly (from 3.68 to 4.15) during each of the three stages of the study.

Conclusions
Orthodontic treatment does not significantly influence an increase of DMFT index in the patients with orthodontic treatment compared to patients without orthodontic therapy. Frequent visits at the dentist’s office during an orthodontic treatment resulted in an increase of caries treatment index in orthodontic patients.