Assessment of Nickel and Chromium Level in Gingival Crevicular Fluid in Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment with or without Fluoridated Tooth Paste

BACKGROUND: Release of metallic ions, especially nickel and chromium, present in orthodontic fixed appliance attachments such as brackets and archwires has been a basis of concern in current years. The present study was conducted to assess nickel and chromium level in gingival crevicular fluid in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were divided into 2 groups of 20 each. Group I was fixed orthodontic treatment group and was given nonfluoridated toothpaste and Group II was fixed orthodontic treatment group and was given fluoridated toothpaste. The assessment of salivary nickel and chromium levels was done using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In group I, there were 6 male and 14 female and in group II 7 males and 13 females. The mean nickel level (ng/ml) before treatment in group I was 0.49 and in group II was 0.52, on 7(th) day was 0.52 and 0.54, on 30(th) day was 13.4 and 100.2, and on 6(th) month was 0.54 and 0.52 in Group I and II, respectively. The mean chromium level (ng/ml) before treatment in Group I was 0.48 and in Group II was 0.52, on 7(th) day was 0.52 and 0.53, on 30(th) day was 40.6 and 62.4 and on 6(th) month was 4.9 and 0.52 in Group I and II, respectively. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The release of metal ions such as nickel and chromium was more with fluoridated toothpaste as compared to nonfluoridated toothpaste in patients undergoing fixed orthodontics.