Short-term effect of removal of fixed orthodontic appliances on gingival health and subgingival microbiota: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to assess and compare the microbiological and clinical parameters of patients wearing a fixed orthodontic appliance, as opposed to 10 days after the bracket had been removed following treatment.

Materials And Methods: In total, 122 patients participated in this study; 61 of the subjects were assessed at baseline (wearing a fixed orthodontic appliance: T1) and 10 days after bracket removal (T2). The other 61 individuals had never worn an orthodontic appliance before and these subjects served as controls (CT).