Reducing white spot lesion incidence during fixed appliance therapy

• Published in: Dental update Vol. 40; no. 6; pp. 487 - 492
• Main Authors: Greene, LE, Bearn, DR
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London George Warman Publications 01-07-2013
• Subjects: Cariostatic Agents - therapeutic use; Dental Caries - prevention & control; Dental Caries Susceptibility - physiology; Dental Enamel - pathology; Dental Plaque - prevention & control; Dentistry; Esthetics, Dental; Feeding Behavior; Fluorides - therapeutic use; Forecasting; Humans; Oral Hygiene; Orthodontic Brackets - adverse effects; Orthodontics; Patient Selection; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Tooth Remineralization
• ISSN: 0305-5000; 2515-589X
• DOI: 10.12968/denu.2013.40.6.487

Fixed orthodontic appliances are commonly used in contemporary orthodontic treatment and can be associated with the development of white spot lesions on the teeth. These lesions can be detrimental to both the aesthetics and health of the teeth so prevention is better than cure and patient selection is critical. This paper discusses predictors of development in addition to methods to help prevent white spot lesions during fixed appliance therapy. Recommendations for oral hygiene regimes during fixed orthodontic appliance treatment are given, the development of white spot lesions (WSLs) described and ways to predict their occurrence identified.
Clinical Relevance: Most general dental practitioners will have patients who are considering orthodontic treatment or are wearing fixed orthodontic appliances and so are at increased risk of developing WSLs. It is therefore important they are aware of predictors and ways to prevent WSLs.