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IntroductionPlaque control remains a concern in oral health but also in orthodontics.ObjectiveThe aim of this paper was to investigate dental plaque adhesion to different orthodontic appliances.Materials and MethodsFour literature reviews were conducted to examine the accumulation of dental plaque on different orthodontic appliances, including different types of brackets (conventional versus self-ligating, metal versus clear), ligatures (metal versus elastomeric), and archwires. Moreover, an image gallery of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was created showing different orthodontic appliances before and/or after time in the oral cavity.ResultsConsidering the strong methodological heterogeneity of the included studies, there is no consensus on which type of bracket should be preferred for the prevention of plaque retention. Metal ligatures appear to be less prone to plaque accumulation than elastomeric ligatures, which are color-dependent. The type of archwire was not examined in this area of investigation. SEM images highlighted the presence of anfractuosities on the surface of new orthodontic archwires, as well as the presence of biofilm at different degrees of maturation on the appliances after time in the oral cavity.ConclusionAlthough it is not possible to establish a consensus on which orthodontic appliances should be preferred to decrease plaque retention, different stages of biofilm evolution are observable on their surface and therefore potentially associated with proportional virulence.