Assessment of white spots with quantitative light-induced fluorescence in patients undergoing fixed orthodontics

Abstract

Background: The present study determined white spots with the help of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) in patients undergoing fixed orthodontics. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four patients undergoing fixed orthodontics above 12 years underwent debonding, and the presence of carious lesion was assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks, 6 months, and 2 years. QLF images were taken with intraoral fluorescence camera. QLF images were examined visually for signs of demineralization, and scoring system was used. Results: It is found that there was fluorescence loss over a period of time. The median sum of fluorescence loss per patient was 55.6% and 29.2% and 101.4% at quartiles at baseline which changed to 51.2% and 26.5% at the first quartile and 101.4% at the second quartile. At 2 years, it was 43.7% and at the first quartile was 22.1% and at the second quartile was 99.1%. There was significant improvement at T2 (P < 0.05), however, between baseline and F1 and between F1 and F2, there was nonsignificant improvement (P > 0.05). The median value for total lesion area per patient was 3.6 mm2with quartiles 1.2 mm2and 8.2 mm2at baseline, 2.6 mm2with quartiles 0.7 mm2and 6.3 mm2at 6 weeks, 2.3 mm2with quartiles 0.7 mm2and 6.3 mm2at 6 months, and 1.8 mm2with quartiles 0.5 mm2and 5.8 mm2at 2 years which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The authors found that white spots during fixed orthodontic treatment and after debonding is a common phenomenon. Although there was improvement in disappearance of these lesions, complete removal cannot be ensured.