140 Treatment of White Spot Lesions: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Thursday, March 22, 2012: 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Presentation Type: Oral Session
G. HUANG1, B. ROLOFF-CHIANG1, S. SHALCHI1, B. MILLS2, C. SPIEKERMAN3, A. KORPAK3, and N. PRECEDENT2, 1Orthodontics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 3Oral Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Objectives: White spot lesions (WSL) on teeth are a common sequela of orthodontic therapy, and can present a significant esthetic compromise.  We present preliminary data from a single-blinded randomized trial designed to assess the effectiveness of two agents commonly used to ameliorate WSL lesions.

Methods: Patients aged 12 to 20 were recruited from offices of orthodontists who belonged to Northwest PRECEDENT, a practice-based research network.  Patients had their orthodontic appliances removed less than 2 months from the time of enrollment, and had at least one WSL on their maxillary incisors.  Photographs were taken at enrollment , after which subjects were randomized to one of three arms:  1) a single application of PreviDent fluoride varnish (FV), 2) 8 week regimen of MI Paste Plus (MI), or 3) no active agent (control).  All patients received routine home care instructions and non-prescription fluoride toothpaste.  Eight weeks after enrollment, the patients were recalled  for follow-up photographs .  Before-and-after pairs of photographs were assessed by a panel of 5 dental professionals and a panel of 5 lay people.  The judges were asked to assess percent improvement of the WSL using a visual analog scale.   Self-assessment of improvement was also obtained.

Results: Of the 102 subjects, 36 received FV, 30 received MI, and 36 received no active treatment.  The mean improvements assessed by the professional panel were 28%, 21%, and 30% in the FV, MI, and control groups, respectively.  Results from the lay panel were 32%, 30%, and 27%, respectively.   These rates were not significantly different  in either panel of judges.  Self assessment of improvement was 38%, 37%, and 38%, respectively, indicating no significant difference among subjects in the three groups.

Conclusions: Our results do not demonstrate that PreviDent varnish or MI Paste Plus are more effective than normal home care over an 8 week period.

This abstract is based on research that was funded entirely or partially by an outside source: NIDCR DE016750 and DE016752

Keywords: Esthetics, Fluoride, Orthodontics, Remineralization and White Spot
See more of: Cariology: Demineralization-Remineralization Studies
See more of: Cariology Research - Demin/Remineralization
<< Previous Abstract | Next Abstract
©Copyright 2012 American Association for Dental Research. All Rights Reserved.