EN
Bacterial Adhesion on Different Esthetic Orthodontic Archwires: An In Vitro Evaluation
Abstract
Abstract:
Objectives:
This study aims to evaluate bacterial adhesion on four different types of orthodontic archwires using two distinct enrichment media to compare microbial accumulation.
Materials and Methods:
Four groups of orthodontic archwires were selected for the study: Group A – PEEK (Polyetheretherketone; PEEK wires), Group B – Teflon-coated NiTi, Group C – Ceramic-coated NiTi, Group D – Conventional NiTi. Each archwire was sectioned into 3 cm segments, and 20 samples were prepared per group (n = 20). The wires were incubated in pooled unstimulated human saliva for 72 hours in two different enrichment media—Lysogeny Broth (LB) and Tris-EDTA (TE) broth—under sterile conditions. Following incubation, each wire was transferred to fresh broth, vortexed, and plated for microbial analysis. Aerobic bacteria were cultured on nutrient agar, and anaerobic bacteria on blood agar, followed by incubation at appropriate atmospheric conditions. Colony-forming units (CFUs) were counted after 24–48 hours. Morphological differentiation was done using Gram staining.
Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version XX). CFU counts were compared between groups using one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results:
In Lysogeny Broth (LB) medium:
Group A (PEEK) exhibited the lowest mean CFU counts for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, which was statistically significant compared to other groups (p < 0.001). This was followed by Group B (Teflon-coated NiTi) and Group C (ceramic-coated NiTi), which showed intermediate levels of bacterial adhesion.Group D (conventional NiTi) demonstrated the highest CFU counts for both aerobic and anaerobic cultures (p < 0.001).
In Tris-EDTA (TE) broth medium:
A similar trend was observed, with Group A (PEEK) again showing the least bacterial adhesion under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions (p < 0.001). However, a statistically significant increase in anaerobic bacterial adhesion was noted in Group C (ceramic-coated NiTi) compared to Group B (p = 0.04), suggesting material-dependent variation in anaerobic bacterial affinity. Group D continued to show the highest adhesion overall (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
PEEK archwires demonstrated significantly lower bacterial adhesion compared to Teflon-coated, ceramic-coated, and conventional NiTi archwires in both Lysogeny broth and Tris-EDTA broth, suggesting superior resistance to microbial colonization. This reduced biofilm formation, particularly under anaerobic conditions, may lower the risk of plaque accumulation, enamel demineralization, and gingival inflammation during orthodontic treatment.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
The study received ethical clearance from the Institutional Human Ethical Committee (IHEC-CARE) on 15th February 2021 (Ref. No. 141/IHEC/JAN 2021).
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
December 29, 2025
Submission Date
February 1, 2025
Acceptance Date
November 5, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 28 Number: 4