Relationship between odontogenic bacteremia and orthodontic stripping

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2013.02.024
• Publication Date: 2013-06-26T04:10:50Z
• Authors: Ahmet Yagci; Tancan Uysal; Kevser Kurt Demirsoy; Duygu Percin
• Keywords: Bacteremia; Infective Endocarditis; Stripping (fiber)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of bacteremia associated with an orthodontic stripping procedure.The study included 29 orthodontic patients (mean age, 18.2 ± 3.4 years). We used a standardized stripping procedure: a perforated stripping disk with a contra-angle hand piece was used at a low speed (<15,000 rpm; 10 seconds) on the mandibular anterior teeth. Blood samples were collected by inserting a cannula into the left antecubital fossa. A baseline sample was taken before treatment, and a second sample was taken after the stripping procedure. These samples were inoculated into aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles and incubated, and the bacterial cultures were identified; the samples collected before and after the stripping procedure were statistically analyzed.Transient bacteremia was not detected in any pretreatment blood sample, but it was found in 1 postoperative blood sample; this sample tested positive for Streptococcussanguis.The bacterial species in the positive postoperative blood sample was S sanguis, which might be associated with infective endocarditis. Clinicians should explain the level of risk to the patient and consult a concerned medical specialist.