Oral Mucosal Lesions Associated with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances

Abstract

Objec;ve: To determine the prevalence and types of oral mucosal lesions associated with fixed metal orthodonNc appliances and assess their correlaNon with paNent demographics and treatment duraNon. Materials and Methods: A cross-secNonal study of 235 paNents (aged 11-39 years) undergoing fixed orthodonNc treatment was conducted in Baghdad, Iraq (September 2024-March 2025). Clinical examinaNons were performed by two specialists, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Among 235 parNcipants (63.4% females, 80% aged <25 years), gingiviNs was most prevalent (61.3%), followed by ulceraNve lesions (29.4%), white lesions (3.4%), fibroma (2.6%), infecNon (1.3%), and periodonNNs (1.3%). OrthodonNc treatment duraNon >1 year was significantly associated with increased lesion prevalence (p=0.002). No significant gender-based differences were observed (p>0.05). Conclusion: Fixed orthodonNc appliances are associated with high prevalence of oral mucosal lesions, parNcularly gingiviNs and ulcers. These findings emphasize the need for prevenNve strategies and comprehensive oral hygiene protocols in orthodon- Nc care.