title: Factors affecting demineralization during orthodontic treatment: a post-hoc analysis of RCT recruits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our aim was to determine predictors for the presence and degree of demineralization during orthodontic treatment. This study was a post-hoc analysis of recruits for a randomized controlled trial. Two hundred thirty patients were included in this study and assessed for demineralization at debond by using quantitative light-induced fluorescence to determine their eligibility for a randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of various toothpastes at reducing demineralization during retention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data about patients' demographics, treatments, oral hygiene, and pretreatment status of the first permanent molars were extracted from case notes. Data on the presence and severity of white spot lesions (WSLs) were obtained from the trial's data base. Univariate analyses and multiple regression were undertaken to assess for associations between the factors and the presence and severity of WSLs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-five patients (28.3%) had no WSLs, and 165 (71.7%) had 1 to 12. The mean number of WSLs per patient with demineralization was 2.9 (95% CI, 2.5 and 3.3). Patients with WSLs were significantly (P = 0.002) younger and more likely to have diseased first molars (P = 0.04). Participants with inadequate pretreatment oral hygiene developed more WSLs (P = 0.03). Boys (P = 0.001) and participants with diseased first molars (P = 0.06) had significantly greater demineralization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sex, pretreatment age, oral hygiene, and clinical status of the first molars can be used as predictors for the development and severity of WSLs during orthodontic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Techology, Irbid, Jordan. efalmaaitah@just.edu.jo
authors.forename: Emad F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Al Maaitah
authors.forename: Adejumoke A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adeyemi
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Higham
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pender
authors.forename: Jayne E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004245:DMF Index; D003732:Dental Caries Activity Tests; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000209:etiology*