The Orthodontic Banding Procedure as a Possible Cause of Transient Bacteremia

Abstract

This study was conducted in an effort to determine if the orthodontic banding procedure could be the cause of a transient bacteremia such as is produced by numerous other dental operative procedures. An easily identified tracer bacteria, Serratia marcescens, was placed in the mouths of three Macaca speciosa monkeys prior to the cementation of well fitting bands on all maxillary and mandibular teeth. Except for three cultures judged to be positive as the result of contamination, all cultures of the experimental procedure and all of the control cultures were negative when observed for bacterial growth. While this investigation failed to prove the causal relationship of orthodontic banding to transient bacteremia, it is recognized that this situation might exist. Therefore, for those patients with known pre-existing rheumatic or congenital heart damage, it is recommended that appropriate prophylactic antibiotic coverage be instituted prior to the orthodontic banding procedure.