Effect of Fluoridated Toothpaste on White Spot Lesions in Postorthodontic Patients

INTRODUCTION This article illustrates a new treatment approach and evaluates the effect of use of fluoridated toothpaste on the remineralization of white spot lesions (WSLs) diagnosed at debonding. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-one orthodontic patients (mean age: 19.6 years), with a minimum of four WSLs on the buccal surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular incisors, canines, premolars and first molars after orthodontic therapy, were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, longitudinal trial lasting 8 weeks. The subjects were divided into two groups using fluoridated toothpaste (test group, n = 31) and nonfluoridated toothpaste (control group, n = 31). A custom-made mouth tray, covering the maxillary dentition, was used while brushing with the fluoridated toothpaste three times per day. Maxillary dentition acted as control and mandibular as the test. The WSLs were scored by using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) index, at baseline and 8 weeks after debonding. RESULTS The ICDAS II index of the WSLs decreased in the test group in the mandibular dentition but not on the maxillary dentition during the 8-week trial (p < 0.0001). There was also a slight improvement in the control group (not significant). CONCLUSION The frequent use of fluoridated toothpaste had a remineralizing effect on WSLs. How to cite this article: Agarwal A, Pandey H, Pandey L, Choudhary G. Effect of Fluoridated Toothpaste on White Spot Lesions in Postorthodontic Patients. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2013;6(2):85-88.