Relationship between Orthodontic Treatment and Crohn’s Disease

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Crohn’s disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease that alters the gastrointestinal tract causing inflammation of the bowel that affects many Americans, with the number of diagnoses rising constantly. Orthodontic braces, worn by millions of Americans, are a type of dental treatment designed to straighten and align teeth for not only a beautiful smile but for a healthy mouth and jaw. A common link between CD and the application of braces are the occasional flare-up of canker sores. The scraping of braces against the skin in the mouth may cause irritation, resulting in the formation of canker sores. Additionally, the appearance of oral lesions, or canker sores, is often an indicative side effect of CD, as well as other factors, such as stomach irritation. The goal of the research is to discover a potential link between the application of braces and the coinciding cankers that form to find a common connection with the development of CD. The hypothesis is that the canker sores that develop due to the application of braces are related to a shift in the oral microbiota, and this shift is thought to contribute to the development of CD.

Experiment 1: Find a connection between braces and canker sores by testing the microbiota using HOMIM.

Based on aim 1 of the experiment, the goal is to find a connection between braces and canker sores by testing the microbiota. For this test, participants will have the oral microbiota profiled based on those with braces and those that do not have braces, with a special focus on canker sore formation. Each of the participants will have an oral examination completed before the experiment is performed and again after its conclusion, to detect any differences that could occur with canker sores. This test will se...

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...alth issues may arise due to braces. There are currently different types of braces available, such as traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and removable braces, such as Invisalign. Due to the dependability of metal braces in all type of orthodontic treatment, traditional metal braces are most commonly used. However, there may be hope of developing braces that are coated in a different material, such as plastic, that may not alter the change in microbiota as much, therefore requiring further testing to determine the best and most accurate results. The goal of the study is to not only find a potential factor in the development of CD, but to also see if there is a possibility that braces affect the microbiota enough to cause the formation of a disease. If this is the case, then the hope is that new and safer braces can be developed for the best patient results.

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