GCF cytokine profile comparison between patients with lingual fixed appliances and aligners

Abstract

Objectives: Remodelling of alveolar bone in orthodontics is through optimal force application producing tissue reactions, thus releasing cytokines in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). The present study compared the cytokine profile amid the treatments with lingual fixed appliances and the aligners. Patients and methods: 80 participants with the requirement of orthodontic treatment were considered for the study. While 40 participants were treated with lingual fixed appliance, others were treated with the aligners. The gingival crevicular fluid specimens were collected pre-treatment and post 3 weeks of treatment from all the participants using a microcapillary pipette and subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cytokine profile assessment comprising of interleukins IL-1α, 1β, 2, 6, 8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Results: Paired t test expressed a significant (p < 0.001) augmentation of interleukins 1α, 1β, 2, 6, 8 and tumour necrosis factor at baseline in the study groups. Independent sample t test displayed a statistically significant higher TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-1β levels in GCF of teeth treated by lingual appliance than aligners (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Lingual fixed appliance showed higher cytokines levels than aligners.

Keywords

• Aligners
• Biomarkers
• Bone remodelling
• Cytokines
• Gingival crevicular fluid
• Interleukins