Geerts, GretaMoodley, Tashia2018-03-222024-04-152018-04-302024-04-152017https://hdl.handle.net/10566/10884Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) (Restorative Dentistry)Introduction: Demineralization of the enamel surface adjacent to bonded orthodontic brackets during treatment is an ongoing drawback, especially when manifested as white spot lesions. Enamel demineralization is initiated by organic acids produced mainly by Streptococcus mutans. A favourable substitute is the development of orthodontic bonding agents with antibacterial or microbial properties. Chitosan is an interesting candidate in this respect. Thus, the rationale of this study was to incorporate chitosan into an orthodontic cement to create a novel orthodontic cement and assess whether the incorporation of chitosan to an existing orthodontic cement would affect its biological and physical properties.enUniversity of the Western Cape