This study was to investigate caries susceptibility of children wearing removable orthodontic appliances. The participants were 48 pediatric patients of Wonkwang Dental Hospital. Caries activity was measured by three Cariostat tests and one modified Alban test. Dental plaque was sample from teeth, bases, and clasps of removable orthodontic appliance for the Cariostat test, and unstimulated saliva was used for the Alban test. The test media were incubated at 37 for two days, and caries activity was evaluated as 0, 1, 2, 3 according to color changes. Most of all showed positive test result. There were significant correlations between teeth and base scores, base and clasp scores, teeth and Alban test scores, and base and Alban test scores. Also, there were significant correlations between teeth score and last wearing period, base score and wearing time per day, clasp score and DT index, clasp score and wearing time per. day, Alban test score and wearing time per day. Therefore, the intraoral wearing - of removable orthodontic appliances has
significantly increased caries activity, and special preventive programs would be
necessary for the appliance-wearing children.
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