Microbial Colonization of Conventional and Enhanced Elastomeric Chains in Orthodontic Patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate microbial contamination of enhanced elastomeric chain (Super Slick, Metafisica technology, TP Orthodontics) compared to a conventional chain in situ. Twenty-six segments of elastomeric chains were placed in thirteen patients attached to their archwires. After 21 days, the chains were retrieved and their biological material was submitted to microbiological processing and cultured in nonspecific media and in media specific to detect Streptococcus spp, Lactobacilli spp and Candida spp. The number of Colony Forming Units (CFU) was macroscopically counted. Elastomeric chains were weighed for quantification of the mass of accumulated plaque. The results of colony counting were described with frequencies and analyzed with the Wilcoxon test. Statistical analysis showed no differences between the chains in number of CFUs on any medium tested. Streptococcus spp were observed on 61.5% of conventional chains and on 41.7% of Super Slick chains. The mean difference between the initial and final weight of the chains was 0.0030 g for conventional chains and 0.0031 g for Super Slick chains. The elastomeric chains had similar bacterial colonization and plaque accumulation properties. Further investigations are needed before these modified chains be considered an accessory with less bacterial biofilm formation.