An ultraviolet photographic technique for monitoring plaque during direct bonding procedures.

An ultraviolet-light dental camera was used to disclose plaque in relation to directly bonded plastic orthodontic brackets. No disclosing solution was used. The reestablishment of plaque patterns 14 days after a prophylaxis and in the presence of the brackets was noted. A further cleaning after debonding removed the plaque, which returned to the base line pattern within 14 days. Small resin remnants left during debonding did not form foci for plaque growth and spread over a 6-month observation period.