Effect of fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash on the cytotoxicity of buccal mucosa cells in the presence of nickel-titanium archwires during comprehensive orthodontic treatment: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of fluoride on the cytotoxicity of buccal mucosa cells in the presence of nickel-titanium archwires.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-five subjects requiring comprehensive orthodontic treatment were randomly allocated to three groups. Healthy control group included normal subjects who did not receive orthodontic treatment. In the treatment control group, only stainless-steel attachments were placed without archwire. Experimental group included subjects in whom stainless-steel attachments and 0.014″ nickel-titanium archwires were used. Fluoride mouthwash and toothpaste were prescribed to all subjects. Buccal mucosa cell smear was assessed for cell viability, micronucleus scores and caspase-3 reactive cells just before (T) and 3-months (T) after the intervention.

RESULTS

The buccal mucosa cell viability score was significantly lower in the experimental and treatment control groups than in the healthy control group subjects (P < 0.001). Micronucleus score was significantly higher in the experimental and treatment control groups compared to the healthy control group subjects (P < 0.001). The caspase-3 reactive cells and micronucleus scores were significantly more in the experimental group subjects compared to treatment control group subjects (P < 0.001). There was a negative but statistically non-significant correlation between cell viability and micronucleus score among three groups of subjects.

CONCLUSION

The use of fluoride mouthwash and toothpaste in the presence of stainless-steel attachments and nickel-titanium archwire decreased the buccal cell viability by 8.51 % and increased the micronucleus score by 3.03 %. The use of fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash had a significant cytotoxicity effect on buccal mucosa cells in the presence of nickel-titanium archwire during comprehensive orthodontic treatment.