Streptococcus mutans levels in patients who received orthodontic brackets bonded using probiotic impregnated resin composite – a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of impregnating an orthodontic resin composite with probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) on the levels of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Thirty patients were randomly selected and allotted by block randomization to two groups: an experimental group, who received brackets bonded with probiotic impregnated resin composite and a control group, who received brackets bonded with conventional light cure resin composite. Plaque samples were collected before (ET0 and CT0) and two months (ET1 and CT1) after bonding. Levels of S. mutans were assessed using the colony count method. Two months after bonding of the brackets, the S. mutans levels had decreased with statistical significance in the experimental group (p = 0.001), but not in the control group (p = 0.137). Impregnation of resin composite with probiotic bacteria for the purpose of preventing formation of white spot lesions on enamel holds promise. Long-term evaluation would be necessary to provide confirmatory results.