Evaluation of fluoride varnish treatment of postorthodontic white spot lesions by visual inspection and laser fluorescence—A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Objectives: White spot lesions (WSLs), as a side effect of orthodontic therapy, can be treated with fluoride varnish, with the difference in efficiency reported. Material and methods: Patients with buccal WSLs were consecutively included in a randomized controlled double-blind study. At first inspection and at three follow-ups over 6 months, 0.1% fluoride varnish and placebo (water) were applied in the test group (N = 21) and control group (N = 21), respectively. The maximum laser fluorescence value (LFV) of WSLs was recorded using DIAGNOdent. Between the groups, differences in the mean numbers of WSLs and the mean LFV of WSLs per patient at different time points were analyzed with mixed-design analysis of variance. Orthodontic therapy duration (OTD) was included in the model as a covariate. Results: A decrease in the mean WSLs number and LFV was observed; however, there were no significant differences between study groups at any time point. OTD was in interaction only with LFV. Analysis showed a different pattern of mean LFV changes for patients with OTD of >48 months compared to patients with OTD of ≤24. Conclusion: The changes in numbers of WSLs and LFV over the study period indicated regression of WSLs, but an additional effect of FV was not confirmed.