title: Preventing and treating white-spot lesions associated with orthodontic treatment: a survey of general dentists and orthodontists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The authors investigated the prevention and treatment of white-spot lesions (WSLs) during and after orthodontic therapy from the perspective of general dentists and orthodontists.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors administered a cross-sectional survey to general dentists (n = 191) and orthodontists (n = 305) in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-nine percent of general dentists and 76 percent of orthodontists recommended in-office fluoride treatment for patients with severe WSLs immediately after orthodontic treatment. Sixty-nine percent of general dentists reported that they had treated WSLs during the previous year, and 37 percent of orthodontists reported that they had removed braces because of patients' poor oral hygiene. Sixty percent of orthodontists referred patients with WSLs to general dentists for treatment. Eighty-five percent of orthodontists responded that they encouraged patients to use a fluoride rinse as a preventive measure. More than one-third of general dentists indicated that severe WSLs after orthodontic treatment could have a negative effect on their perception of the treating orthodontist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WSLs are a common complication of orthodontic treatment and their presence can result in a negative perception of the treating orthodontist by the patient's general dentist.  Clinical implications. General dentists and orthodontists should work together to prevent the development of WSLs in their patients. Treatment with fluoride supplements and motivating and training patients to practice good oral hygiene will help achieve this goal. Treatment after debonding should include the topical application of low concentrations of fluoride.
authors: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. hamdanama@hotmail.com
authors: Ahmad M
authors: AM
authors: Hamdan
authors: Blake J
authors: BJ
authors: Maxfield
authors: Eser
authors: E
authors: Tüfekçi
authors: Bhavna
authors: B
authors: Shroff
authors: Steven J
authors: SJ
authors: Lindauer
mesh_terms: D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009657:North Carolina; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009970:Orthodontics; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014768:Virginia
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D009067:Mouthwashes; D005459:Fluorides