Evaluation of the effects of 2 different adhesive-coated bracket systems on white spot lesion formation.

INTRODUCTION

This study evaluated the effects of 2 different adhesive-precoated (APC) bracket systems on white spot lesions (WSLs).

METHODS

The study had a split-mouth design, and 34 patients were included. The APC Flash-Free (FF) and APC II system brackets were used. At the end of the treatment, digital photographs of each tooth were taken, the WSLs were scored, and lesion areas were calculated. In the same session, the mineralization level of the teeth was measured by DIAGNOdent. The 2 bracket systems were compared in terms of bonding time.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the 2 groups regarding the number of WSLs or the size of the lesion areas. In the maxillary arch, 55.3% of the teeth in the FF group and 61.2% in the control group were healthy. In the mandibular arch, no lesions occurred in 61.2% of the teeth in the FF group and 64.7% of the control group. In the evaluation of DIAGNOdent measurements, WSL formation was detected in 3 teeth in the FF group and 4 in the control group. No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups in the evaluation of bonding times.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects did not differ between FF and conventional brackets in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. The use of FF brackets significantly shortened the bonding time.