Recuento de Unidades Formadoras de Colonias de Streptococcus mutans antes y durante el tratamiento de ortodoncia en pacientes atendidos en la Universidad Santo Tomás en 2019-2020: un estudio piloto

Abstract

Background: Some studies have assessed the relationship between the presence of fixed orthodontic appliances and the changes of Colony Forming Units (CFU) counts of Streptococcus mutans, arguing that this produces changes in the oral microflora due to increased plaque retention, and it alters the patient’s salivary characteristics, which are related to the appearance of dental caries and periodontal disease. However, some results remain contradictory. Objective: To determine the CFU of Streptococcus mutans before and during orthodontic treatment in patients who attend the Dental Clinics at Universidad Santo Tomás during 2019-2020. Methodology: A longitudinal panel-type study was carried out in seven individuals of both sexes, without age limitation, who met the inclusion criteria of an initial sample of 21 patients, from whom only descriptive data were obtained. Participants' saliva was collected, and stimulated salivary flow was measured, as well as the oral pH using paper strips, the salivary pH, the buffer capacity, and the CFU count of Streptococcus mutans through serial dilutions 1:3 tubes and seed in duplicate. Proportions for the qualitative variables were calculated, measures of central tendency and dispersion for the quantitative ones. In the bivariate analysis, the Wilcoxon paired group test was used. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: It was found that there were noticeable changes in the CFU counts of Streptococcus mutans between the twelve and the twenty weeks of the orthodontic treatment (9.5 vs 80) without a significant statistically difference (p = 6715). In relation to the levels of stimulated salivary flow (p = 0.1493), salivary pH (p = 0.7353), buccal pH (p = 0.6547) and buffer capacity (p = 0.4990), no statistically significant difference was observed. Conclusions: An increase in the salivary Colony Forming Units counts of Streptococcus mutans was observed during the orthodontic treatment, however, no statistically significant difference was obtained. Likewise, it was determined that the values of the stimulated salivary flow, salivary and buccal pH and buffer capacity were similar before and after the orthodontic appliances were placed.