Plaque retention by self-ligating versus elastomeric orthodontic brackets: quantitative comparison of oral bacteria and detection using ATP-driven bioluminescence

Fixed orthodontic appliances can make oral hygiene more difficult, leading to increased plaque buildup and a higher risk of enamel decalcification. These early lesions often appear as unesthetic white spots on the facial surfaces of teeth adjacent to brackets. This randomized clinical study aimed to compare the bacterial plaque levels surrounding two bracket systems, self‑ligating (SL) and elastomeric‑ligating (E), and to evaluate whether ATP‑driven bioluminescence can serve as a rapid method for assessing plaque bacterial load.