Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of orthodontic bands and metal brackets on the gingival health. The sample was composed of 15 randomly selected patients (5 males and 10 females) 11 to 17 years old. All patients were treated with edgewise fixed orthodontic appliances. Bands were cemented to upper and lower first molars and rest of teeth were bonded with composite. The teeth included in the study were upper right and lower left central incisors, and upper left and lower right first molars. The plaque index, the gingival index and pocket depths were used to measure the oral hygiene of the patients during six months period of fixed orthodontic treatment. The results indicated that orthodontic bands will provoke more periodontal changes than brackets.
