The efficacy of a fluoride varnish in reducing enamel demineralization adjacent to orthodontic brackets: an in vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that fluoride varnish is effective in reducing demineralization (white spot) lesions adjacent to bonded orthodontic brackets.


METHODS
Two similar samples of extracted bovine incisors, with bonded orthodontic brackets, were separated into an experimental group (fluoride varnish was applied) and control group (no fluoride varnish) to examine the preventive effects of fluoride varnish.


METHODS
The dental clinic of the State University of Maringá--UEM (Maringá, Paraná, Brazil). Thirty-eight extracted bovine incisors with bonded orthodontic brackets.


METHODS
Fluoride varnish was applied topically to half of the sample of extracted bovine teeth. No varnish was applied to the other half.


METHODS
The depths of enamel demineralization (white spot) lesions were measured from polarized light microscopy images using image analysis software.


RESULTS
The teeth in both the experimental and control groups had been exposed to a cariogenic environment twice a day for 35 days. Those teeth that had been treated with two applications of fluoride varnish (one at the outset and another 15 days later) demonstrated about 38% less mean lesion depth than teeth where no varnish had been applied.


CONCLUSIONS
Orthodontists may wish to consider the application of fluoride varnish during fixed orthodontic therapy to help reduce the development of enamel white spot lesions.
Demito
C F
CF
Orthodontics-Dentistry Department, State University of Maringá-PR, Maringá-PR, Brazil.
Vivaldi-Rodrigues
G
G
Ramos
A L
AL
Bowman
S J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002417:Cattle; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects*; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007764:Lacquer; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000737:chemistry; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014099:Toothbrushing
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D012464:Saliva, Artificial