In vitro Streptococcus mutans adhesion and biofilm formation on different esthetic orthodontic archwires.

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of different esthetic archwires to retain oral biofilms in vitro.

Materials And Methods: Seven different brands of coated orthodontic archwires were tested: two epoxy coated, two polytetrafluoroethylene coated, two rhodium coated, and one silver plus polymer coated. Conventional uncoated metallic archwires were used as controls.