INCIDENCE OF WHITE SPOT LESIONS AFTER TREATMENT WITH FIXED ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES

Objective: To determine the incidence of white spot lesions (WSLs) in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment for a period of one and two years. Materials and Methods: The presence of WSLs was assessed in patients at the time of orthodontic application (Group 1) and after one and two years of treatment (Groups 2 and 3, respectively). Presence of WSLs was determined based on clinical intra-oral photographs of the upper four front teeth and scored as present or absent. The frequency of WSLs in each group was calculated and then compared using Fisher?s exact test. Results: In Group 1 (control), WSLs were present in 14 of 48 patients (30%). In Group 2 (1 year of treatment), WSLs were present in 36 of 48 patients (75%). In Group 3 (2 years of treatment), WSLs were present in 38 of 48 patients (79%). The frequency of WSLs in Group 1 was significantly different compared to Group 2 (P=0.0134) and Group 3 (P=0.0087). However, no significant difference in frequency of WSLs was seen in comparing Groups 2 and 3 (P=0.8782) Conclusion: More than 70% of patients who undergo orthodontic treatment develop WSLs, especially in the first months of treatment. This high incidence of WSLs stresses the importance of patient compliance with an oral hygiene protocol that should be tailored for each patient.