Efficacy of a Copper–Calcium–Hydroxide Solution in Reducing Microbial Plaque on Orthodontic Clear Aligners: A Case Report

Aida Meto; Bruna Colombari; Anna Castagnoli; Mario Sarti; Lucia Denti; Elisabetta Blasi

doi:10.1055/s-0039-1695653

European Journal of Dentistry, Table of Contents

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Eur J Dent 2019; 13(03): 478-484
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1695653

Case Report

Dental Investigation Society

Efficacy of a Copper–Calcium–Hydroxide Solution in Reducing Microbial Plaque on Orthodontic Clear Aligners: A Case Report

Authors

Aida Meto

¹School of Doctorate in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
Bruna Colombari

²Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncological and Regenerative Medicine, Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
Anna Castagnoli

³School of Specialization in Microbiology and Virology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
Mario Sarti

⁴Medical Doctor, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Baggiovara, Modena, Italy
Lucia Denti

⁵Enzo Ferrari Engineering Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
Elisabetta Blasi

²Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncological and Regenerative Medicine, Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a copper–calcium–hydroxide-based compound to remove microbial plaque naturally produced onto orthodontic clear aligners. A commercially available dental paste, named Cupral, based on copper–calcium–hydroxide, was used. A healthy volunteer (female, 32 years old), undergoing orthodontic treatment with thermoplastic clear aligners was enrolled. By conventional/confocal microscopy and colony-forming unit (CFU) assay, 2-week used aligners were examined for microbial plaque, prior and following exposure to Cupral. Confocal microscopy revealed abundant plaque irregularly distributed onto the aligner surface. Following Cupral treatment, a drastic decrease occurred in plaque thickness and matrix presence. As assessed by the CFU assay, total microbial load approached 10⁹ CFUs/aligner, with slight differences in aerobiosis and anaerobiosis culture conditions; six macroscopically different types of colonies were detected and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Following Cupral treatment, microbial load dropped to undetectable levels, irrespectively of the conditions considered. Exposure of clear aligners to Cupral results in the elimination of contaminating microorganisms; the antimicrobial activity is retained up to 1.25% concentration. Overall, our data describe a novel use of Cupral, a copper–calcium–hydroxide-based compound, in daily hygiene practices with promising results.

Keywords

clear aligners - copper–calcium–hydroxide - orthodontic therapy - microbial plaque

Full Text

References

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