Comparison of Effect of Fluoride Varnish, Fluoride-releasing Composite, and Casein Phosphopeptide-amorphous Calcium Phosphate Fluoride on Demineralization around Brackets: An in vivo Study

Abstract

Introduction: White spot lesions are a major problem in orthodontic patients as they compromise esthetics. They are the result of decalcification of enamel that occurs around brackets. This in vivo study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three different forms of topical fluoride on enamel demineralization adjacent to bonded brackets. Materials and methods: A total of 24 patients who needed extraction of at least two premolars for orthodontic reasons were selected. In each patient, one premolar was the test tooth and the other was the control. Brackets were bonded but only the test teeth received topical fluoride, that is, Transbond PLUS Color Change Adhesive, bifluoride12, GC Tooth Mousse Plus. The premolars were extracted after 80 to 90 days, and buccolingual sections 50 to 70 μm in thickness were evaluated with polarized light microscopy. The mean depth of demineralization in each lesion was measured using the software Image Pro Plus. Results: The difference between the values of the depth of demineralization in the experimental and control samples of all groups was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was a 43.3% reduction in the lesion depth in the transbond plus group. There was a 67.4% reduction in the lesion depth in the GC tooth mousse group. There was a 70% reduction in the lesion depth in the bifluoride varnish group. Conclusion: Enamel demineralization around brackets is signi­ ficantly reduced by all the three materials used in this study. The highest amount of lesion depth reduction was seen in the Bifluoride varnish group. Transbond plus, was the least effective among the three materials used.