The color improvement of postdebonding white spot lesions after fluoride and casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate application

Abstract

White spots are common side effects of orthodontic treatment, and their presence after debonding appears unesthetic. This study aimed to quantify and compare the visual improvement in postdebonding white spot lesions following fluoride and casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP–ACP) application. The sample included 42 upper premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons. Universal premolar brackets were bonded to the facial surfaces of the teeth that were exposed to a demineralization solution to create artificial white spot lesions, after which the brackets were debonded. The specimens were randomly allocated to three treatment groups (n = 14, each): acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel application group; CPP–ACP paste application group; and control group. pH cycling was conducted to all groups for 14 days. Quantitative measurements were carried out using a spectrophotometer at the following times: before and after the white spot lesions artificially formed and after treating them. All groups showed significant differences in color change before and after treatment. However, there was no significant difference in the color improvement between the APF gel and CPP–ACP paste application groups. Although CPP–ACP application improved the color of the white spot lesions, it did not differ significantly from that of fluoride application.

Keywords

• color improvement
• casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate
• fluoride
• white spot