Materials and methods: Seventy children aged between 11 and 15 years undergoing URA treatment were assigned in a double blind random method to the experimental or placebo arm of the study. 1ml of unstimulated saliva was collected at the start of the experiment and six weeks after treatment of the URA with NitrAdine™ tablets. Samples were cultured on Chromogenic Candida Agar and the number of Colony Forming Units per ml of saliva (CFU ml-1) determined.
Results: There was no significant difference in salivary Candida levels before or after treatment with NitrAdine™ tablets. There was a significant drop in plaque accumulation on the appliance and a significant amelioration in appliance odour. There was a small, non-significant drop in individuals exhibiting counts of 400 CFU ml-1 or over in the experimental group and a non-significant increase in the number of new species in the placebo group. Conclusions: NitrAdine™ tablets are effective in reducing plaque accumulation and appliance odour during URA treatment. Further in vivo studies are required to determine the efficacy and exact protocol for NitrAdine™ tablets in appliance disinfection.