The effects of orthodontic bonding steps on biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans in the presence of saliva.

Abstract Objective. To investigate the effects of various orthodontic bonding steps on biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans in the presence of saliva. Materials and methods: Hydroxyapatite (HA) and orthodontic adhesive (AD) disks were prepared to a uniform size. HA disks were etched with 37% phosphoric acid gel in the etched group (HE). In the primed group (HP), Transbond XT primer was applied to the etched HA surface and light-cured. For biofilm formation, Streptococcus mutans was grown on each specimen in a biofilm medium with either glucose or sucrose in the presence of fluid-phase UWS (F-UWS) or surface adsorbed saliva (S-UWS). The adherent bacteria were quantified by enumeration of the total viable counts of bacteria. Biofilms formed on each surface were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Results. When glucose was used, both F-UWS and S-UWS suppressed biofilm formation of S. mutans. Compared to HA and HE, biofilm formation was significantly inhibited on HP and AD in the presence of glucos...