title: Therapies for White Spot Lesions-A Systematic Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The first sign of dental caries is denoted by white spot lesions (WSLs) which can be defined as a demineralization of the enamel surface and subsurface, although these lesions can be reversed and do not form cavities. The aim of this systematic review was investigate which remineralization agents are effective for the treatment of WSLs.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this systematic review a literature search was conducted on Pubmed, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial search resulted in 273 references. After elimination of duplicate articles, 236 references remained. After reading titles and abstracts, all non-relevant results were excluded, resulting in 45 potentially relevant studies. After reading the full text, 13 references were included.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More studies are required for scientific evidence in order to reach a conclusion of the most suitable therapeutic method for the treatment of surface and subsurface demineralization of the enamel.
authors.affiliation: Teaching Fellow, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: anabelabppaula@sapo.pt.
authors.forename: Anabela Baptista Pereira
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Paula
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Teaching Fellow, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Sofia
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos Miguel
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Marto
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor with "Agregação" of Endodontics, IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuel Marques
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Biophysics, IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caramelo
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Orthodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: do Vale
authors.affiliation: Full Professor of Restorative Dentistry, IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Eunice
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carrilho
mesh_terms: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002364:Caseins; D003731:Dental Caries; D003743:Dental Enamel; D006801:Humans; D014089:Tooth Remineralization
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002364:Caseins
keywords: CPP-ACP; ICON; fluorides; prevention; treatment; white spot lesions