The effect of fluoride varnish in preventing enamel demineralization around and under orthodontic bracket.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effectiveness of fluoride Vanish™ in preventing enamel demineralization around and under orthodontic brackets, using a laser fluorescence monitoring device on a group of teeth, using a laser fluorescence monitoring device on a group of extracted teeth with bonded brackets.

METHODS: Orthodontic brackets were bonded to 32 extracted premolars. Buccal surfaces of teeth were divided into two halves: mesial and distal, fluoride Vanish™ (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) was applied only on the distal half while the mesial one served as control half. Teeth were subjected to two demineralization cycles in standard demineralization solution. Enamel demineralization was measured on both varnished and non-varnished halves at baseline, after first and second demineralization cycles and under the brackets after debonding using laser fluorescence device Diagnodent pen. Data were analyzed using Friedman test followed by Wilcoxon test. Differences were considered statistically significant at P<0.001.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed between the varnished and non-varnished halves after the first and second demineralization cycles at P<0.001. No significant difference was found between baseline readings and under the brackets in both halves.

CONCLUSION: Fluoride varnish application is effective in preventing enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets. Fluoride varnish has insignificant effect on enamel mineral content under orthodontic brackets.