[Influence of orthodontic appliances on the occurrence of Candida spp. in the oral cavity]. / Influencia de la aparatología ortodóntica sobre la ocurrencia de Candida spp. en la cavidad oral.

INTRODUCTION: Use of orthodontic appliances creates favorable conditions for growth of dental bacterial plaque. AIM: To establish if use of orthodontic appliance affects the presence of Candida species in the oral cavity in a group of pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 60 patients between 4 and 10 years old, requiring treatment with orthodontic appliances. Samples were taken of the oral cavity before orthodontic treatment and six months after use began. Samples were inoculated in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Candida CHROMagar®. Candida species confirmation and identification was done by multiple PCR, and results analyzed with a chi-squared test. RESULTS: Candida presence was greater (p < 0,001) in the samples taken six months after use began than in the initial samples. Before treatment, the most frequently found species (percentage of studied patients) was C. albicans (8.3%), while after treatment it was C. tropicalis (20.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Use of orthodontic appliances in children increases Candida species presence in the oral cavity. Preventative measures should be taken to avoid oral candidiasis, particularly in immunosuppressed patients.

Influencia de la aparatología ortodóntica sobre la ocurrencia de Candida spp. en la cavidad oral / Influence of orthodontic appliances on the occurrence of Candida spp. in the oral cavity

Introducción: El uso de aparatología ortodóntica crea condiciones favorables para el incremento de la placa bacteriana. Objetivo: Evaluar si el uso de aparatología ortodóntica influye en la presencia de especies de Candida en la cavidad oral, en un grupo de pacientes pediátricos. Material y Métodos: Se estudiaron 60 pacientes entre 4 y 10 años de edad, que requirieron tratamiento con aparatología ortodóntica. Se tomaron muestras de la cavidad oral al inicio del tratamiento ortodóntico y a los seis meses de uso. Las muestras fueron sembradas en Agar Dextrosa Sabouraud y CHROMagar® Candida. Las especies de Candida se confirmaron por RPC múltiple. Los resultados se analizaron con la prueba estadística de chi cuadrada. Resultados: La presencia de Candida fue mayor en las muestras tomadas a los seis meses de iniciado el tratamiento (p < 0,001). La especie más frecuente antes del tratamiento fue C. albicans (8,3%) y después del tratamiento fue C. tropicalis (20,0%). Conclusiones: El uso de aparatología ortodóntica influye en la presencia de especies de Candida, por lo que deben tomarse medidas preventivas para evitar su conversión en candidiasis oral, en especial, en pacientes inmunodeprimidos.

Introduction: Use of orthodontic appliances creates favorable conditions for growth of dental bacterial plaque. Aim: To establish if use of orthodontic appliance affects the presence of Candida species in the oral cavity in a group of pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: We studied 60 patients between 4 and 10 years old, requiring treatment with orthodontic appliances. Samples were taken of the oral cavity before orthodontic treatment and six months after use began. Samples were inoculated in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Candida CHROMagar®. Candida species confirmation and identification was done by multiple PCR, and results analyzed with a chi-squared test. Results: Candida presence was greater (p < 0,001) in the samples taken six months after use began than in the initial samples. Before treatment, the most frequently found species (percentage of studied patients) was C. albicans (8.3%), while after treatment it was C. tropicalis (20.0%). Conclusions: Use of orthodontic appliances in children increases Candida species presence in the oral cavity. Preventative measures should be taken to avoid oral candidiasis, particularly in immunosuppressed patients.