Care of dental enamel for the orthodontic patient

Abstract

One of the many responsibilities of the orthodontist is to minimise the risk of dental caries development as a consequence of orthodontic treatment. Patients receiving orthodontic treatment are commonly at an age when many newly erupted teeth are present. Newly erupted teeth are particularly vulnerable to dental caries initiation but are also very responsive to topical fluoride therapy. For these reasons orthodontic patients should be exposed to preventive measures to protect enamel. A number of home care procedures and topical fluoride procedures appropriate to each phase of orthodontic treatment can be utilised to impart caries resistance.

Keywords

• orthodontic treatment
• enamel
• fluoride