title: The effect of fixed and functional appliances on enamel decalcifications in early Class II treatment.
abstract: The presence of enamel decalcifications before and after early Class II treatment was examined on 41 subjects and 164 permanent first molars. No new demineralization areas were found in patients wearing only a removable appliance. Of the maxillary molars 6% displayed decalcifications in patients wearing a headgear only: whereas of patients wearing a headgear and biteplate 25% displayed enamel lesions. Eighteen percent of white spot lesions diagnosed before treatment had shown a "reversal phenomenon," whereby the enamel appeared normal after treatment. This process only occurred in the functional appliance group indicating that remineralization was better achieved with an appliance that was capable of being removed from the oral cavity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000202:Activator Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000628:therapy*; D008963:Molar; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017289:Orthodontic Appliances, Functional / Q000009:adverse effects; D009968:Orthodontic Appliances, Removable / Q000009:adverse effects; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000209:etiology*