George Belibasakis

George Belibasakis, Stockholm

CURRICULUM VITAE

Theodore_Eliades Professor Georgios Belibasakis studied Dentistry at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, attained a PhD in Oral Microbiology at Umeå University, and an MSc in Periodontology at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). He also completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice of QMUL and became Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) UK. He worked as Research Associate (post-doctoral fellow) at King’s College London and then appointed as Lecturer in Oral Biology at QMUL (2005-2009). In 2009 he joined the Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zürich where he attained his Habilitation (Docentur) in 2012 and his first professorship in Oral Microbiology and Immunology in 2014. During that time he served as Head of Section of Oral Microbiology and Immunology (2011-2016). In 2016 he joined Karolinska Institutet, as Professor of Clinical Oral Infection Biology. Since 2017 he is Head of the Division of Oral Diseases at the Department of Dental Medicine, which includes the disciplines of Cariology, Endodontics, Periodontology and Dental Prevention. He is Associate Editor for Archives of Oral Biology, BMC Microbiology, BMC Infectious Diseases, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, and Editorial Board member of several Journals, including Journal of Dental Research and Clinical Oral Implants Research. In 2012 he received the “Anthony Rizzo Young Investigator Award” of the Periodontal Research Group of IADR, and for 3 consecutive years (2012-2014) he was awarded as one of the top reviewers for the Journal of Dental Research. He currently serves as the IADR Group Program Chair for Periodontal Pathogenesis.

ABSTRACT

Microbial colonization of orthodontic appliances and oral health risks

The oral cavity is colonized by hundreds of different types of microorganisms, at different sites. They preferentially to grow together in polymicrobial communities, described as ‘biofilms’ (commonly referred to as ‘dental plaque’). Like natural teeth, biofilms can form also on orthodontic appliance material. Factors like bracket type, conformation, coating, adhesive type and roughness may influence the subsequent microbial colonization. During the course of orthodontic treatment biofilm colonization by mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and Candida yeasts may be favored on the appliances and oral cavity in general, posing some health-associated issues. Acidophilic and acidogenic bacteria, such as mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, may contribute to enamel demineralization and white spot-lesion formation, thus increasing the risk for dental caries associated with orthodontic appliances. Systemically healthy orthodontic patients can be colonized Candida albicans, without developing Candida infection. However, immuno-compromised individuals are more susceptible and, in this instance, orthodontic appliances may pose an increased risk for opportunistic fungal infections, Therefore, appropriate evaluation of the patient’s oral and systemic health status prior to orthodontic therapy and optimal oral hygiene that takes under consideration the orthodontic appliances are warranted.