The effect of fiber-reinforced composite versus band and loop space maintainers on oral Lactobacillus acidophilus and Streptococcus mutans levels in saliva.

BACKGROUND: Orthodontic bands have been shown to alter oral microbial flora that lead to convert caries-free patients to moderate or high caries risk individuals. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of conventional band and loop space maintainers versus fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) resin space maintainer on the salivary cariogenic microflora (Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans) in children over a period of 6 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample was divided equally into two groups: Group A: 25 patients received FRC (INFIBRA((R)): Reinforcing ribbon, Bioloren, Italy) space maintainer and Group B: 25 patients received band and loop space maintainers. The saliva samples were collected from the patients before the insertion of the space maintainer and at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postinsertion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The Lactobacillus acidophilus isolated was 1.7 colony-forming unit (CFU) (x10(6)) and 1.8 CFU (x10(6)) in Group A and Group B, respectively, prior to the insertion of space maintainers. There was no significant increase in L. acidophilus over the follow-up of 6 months in both the groups (P > 0.05). However, the Streptococcus mutans isolated before insertion in both Group A and Group B was 2.6 CFU (x10(6)), which over a period of 6 months showed significant increase to 3.13 CFU (x10(6)) in Group B (P < 0.05) and no increase was seen in Group A. S. mutans level increased considerably in patients with band and loop space maintainer over the follow-up of 6 months. No significant increase in the L. acidophilus count was observed over the same period in both the groups.