SUMMARY
The use of removable and fixed orthodontic appliances during treatment creates retentive niches, accelerates maturation of the dental biofilm, and consequently increases the risk of periodontal inflammatory diseases, oral mucosal lesions, and the development of carious lesions. In this context, silver-based approaches to dental biofilm control have been intensively investigated in recent years, including: (1) the application of silver and nanosilver coatings to orthodontic components (plates, archwires, ligatures) and (2) the use of mouthrinses containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as an alternative to, or an adjunct to, conventional antiseptic agents. This review synthesizes recent evidence on the impact of silver-containing technologies on microbial colonization and clinical indices of oral hygiene and inflammation in patients treated with removable and fixed orthodontic appliances, with particular emphasis on Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Fusobacterium spp. Mechanisms of action, limitations of the current evidence base, heterogeneity in microbiological assessment methods, and priorities for future research are discussed.
Keywords: orthodontic treatment, removable and fixed appliances, silver coating, chlorhexidine, oral biofilm

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