This study aimed to compare flash-free bracket system with conventional adhesive-coated bracket system in patients with maxillary crowding.

Aim: The aim of this split-mouth study was to compare conventional and adhesive flash-free-bracket systems in terms of plaque retention, white spot lesion formation, biomarker levels and select microbes in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF).

Materials & Methods: Thirty-seven systemically healthy patients (18 males, 19 females) with the age range of 13-18 years were involved in this split-mouth study. Clinical evaluations, quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) imaging, GCF and plaque samplings were performed at baseline and at 1-, 2-, 3-months. QLF was repeated following debonding, GCF samples were analyzed by immunoassay and real-time PCR for the biomarker and bacteria content. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon on dependent samples.

Inclusion Criteria:

• being systemically healthy
• having 4-7 mm maxillary crowding with a maximum of 2 mm linear displacement of contact points and non-extraction treatment planning.

Exclusion Criteria:

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