Clinical parameters and inflammatory biomarkers among patients with multibracket appliances: a prospective clinical trial

Background Aim of the presented study was to investigate changes in clinical parameters and active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) levels in gingival crevicular fluid of patients before and during treatment with multibrackets appliances. Methods Fifty-five adolescents scheduled for the treatment were included. Clinical parameters and subgingival samples were obtained at six time points: 1 week before appliance insertion (T0), 3 (T1), 6 (T2) weeks, 3 (T3), 6 (T4) months, and 1 year (T5) after that. Gingival index and plaque index were assessed to evaluated changes on the clinical status. Subgingival samples were collected to analyze changes in aMMP-8. Results Scores for gingival and plaque index increased after bracket insertion. The gingival index increased from T2 ( p < 0.05) until T5 ( p < 0.0001). Plaque index also increased, reaching its maximum peak at T3 ( p < 0.05). Moreover, an increase of aMMP-8 levels ( p < 0.05) was noted. There was no significant between upper and lower jaws. Conclusions Treatment with multibracket appliances in adolescents favors dental plaque accumulation and may transitionally increase gingival and plaque index and aMMP-8 levels leading to gingival inflammation, even 1 year after therapy began. Trial registration This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the dental medical association Rheiland-Pfalz, Germany (process no. 837.340.12 (8441-F)), and followed the guidelines of Good Clinical Practices.