Investigation of bacteremia after debonding procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of debonding procedures after completion of orthodontic treatments on bacteremia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients who were treated with fixed orthodontic treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry's Department of Orthodontics at Gaziantep University and who had an indication of debonding were selected for this study, and blood samples were taken from these patients at different times and examined for bacteremia. Blood culture samples were taken from the antecubital veins of the patients prior to debonding (T0 ), immediately after removing the bracket (T1 ), and immediately after cleaning the composite residues and plaque deposits on the enamel surface (T2 ). The blood samples were then inoculated in blood culture bottles and investigated for bacterial growth.

RESULTS: The results showed that there was no bacterial growth in the blood samples taken at T0 and T1 , whereas 10 of the blood culture samples taken at T2 showed bacterial growth including the following bacteria; Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus parasanguinis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus oralis, Staphylococcus aureus, Actinomyces oris, Actinomyces naeslundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

CONCLUSION: It was concluded that patients in the risk group could develop bacteremia during debonding procedures. The presence of these bacteria in sterile blood suggested the possibility of bacterial endocarditis.