Evaluation of the Effect of Fixed and Removable Appliances on Salivary Parameters (Salivary Flow Rate pH and Buffering Capacity) in Children Aged 5–12 Years: An In Vivo Study

AIM: To evaluate and compare the effect of fixed and removable space maintainers or appliances on salivary factors (“salivary flow rate,” pH, and buffering capacity of saliva) in children aged 5–12 years over a period of 3 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty children were selected for the study and equally alienated into two groups as group I for fixed appliances and group II for removable appliances). Unstimulated saliva was collected from children wearing fixed and removable space maintainers or appliances at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 months. RESULTS: At the end of 3 months, there was a slight decrease in the buffering capacity and pH of saliva, which was not statistically significant in both the groups. An increase in unstimulated salivary flow rate was also seen in both the groups at the end of 3 months. CONCLUSION: Fixed and removable space maintainers or appliances act as opportunistic plaque retentive sites in children, necessitating appropriate oral hygiene maintenance and its reinforcement. Failure to adhere to a strict oral hygiene regimen can cause considerable enamel decalcification and plaque retention leading to alteration in oral microflora which has detrimental effects. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study paves way for provision of incorporating practice guideline information for both dentists and children undergoing long-term space maintainer or appliance therapy in children. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Kukreja P, Hugar SM, Hallikerimath S, et al. Evaluation of the Effect of Fixed and Removable Appliances on Salivary Parameters (Salivary Flow Rate pH and Buffering Capacity) in Children Aged 5–12: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(6):774–778.