The Effect of Oral Probiotics on Oral Hygiene and Halitosis in Orthodontic Patients.

Orthodontic Appliance Complication Clinical Trial

Official title: The Effect of Oral Probiotics on Oral Hygiene and Halitosis in Orthodontic Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Brackets, bands, ligatures and wires in patients receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances are areas that trap food and impede oral hygiene. An ecological environment facilitating the growth of microorganisms (Actinobacillus, Bacteroides, Prevotella etc.) emerges in the mouth and may cause caries, enamel white spots, gingival inflammation and halitosis. Despite the use of specialized orthodontic brushes, interdental brushes, mouthwashes and topical fluorides, plaque removal remains inadequate in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. On the other hand, patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with aligners have been found to have better oral hygiene because of less plaque accumulation in their mouth.

Probiotics are defined as non-pathogenic bacteria that can benefit the host's general health when taken in sufficient amounts through nutrition. Nowadays probiotics can be used to enhance oral health as they are found to reduce dental biofilm formation, prevent and decrease halitosis in children, adolescents and adults. To date, there are few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy of oral probiotics in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances and none reporting the incidence of halitosis and the effect of probiotics in orthodontic patients wearing aligners.

Clinical Trial Description

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of the oral probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius on oral hygiene indices and halitosis in patients wearing orthodontic braces and patients wearing orthodontic aligners. The study is a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blinded, with four parallel groups and an equal allocation ratio in all groups. Patients 12-18 years old undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment will be randomly allocated to probiotic group A (n=30) and placebo group B (n=30). Patients ≥18 years old wearing aligners (Invisalign™ ) will be randomly allocated to probiotic group C (n=30) and placebo group D (n=30). All participants will consume lozenges for one month. Assessments will be taken at baseline, at the end of the intervention and at a 2 month free-intervention follow-up. The outcome measures will be modified plaque index (PI), modified gingival index (GI) and halitosis-causing volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels. Results will be announced at the end of the study. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Halitosis
• Orthodontic Appliance Complication
• Probiotics

• NCT number: NCT05651503
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Athens
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 2, 2022
• Completion date: November 30, 2023