Early Caries Detection After the Active Phase of Orthodontic Treatment

Methods: QLF images of upper and lower anterior teeth (canine to canine) of patients recruited for a larger clinical remineralisation study were analysed for the presence of white spots lesions (WSL) on buccal surfaces.

Results: 207 patients volunteered for the study (72 male, 135 female, aged 12.5 to 50.0 years). 56 patients had no detectable WSL (16 male, 40 female). 151 volunteers had WSL (56 male, 95 female). The odds ratio was calculated as 1.47. Participants were divided into three age groups: <16 years, between 16 and 21 and >21. In the male non-WSL group, 6.3% of patients were <16 years, 62.5% were between 16 and 21 and 31.3% >21. Female non-WSL group had 30.0%, 45.0% and 25.0% of patients respectively. In the WSL male group, 41.1% of patients were <16 years, 57.1% between 16 and 21 and 1.8% >21. Female WSL group had 36.8%, 52.6% and 10.5% of patients respectively. Lesion frequency was categorised as <3, between 3 and 6 and >6 (6 to 12). In males, 21.4% had <3 WSL, 50.0% had between 3 and 6 WSL and 28.6% had >6. In females, 23.2% had <3 WSL, 57.9% had between 3 and 6 WSL and 18.9% had >6.

Conclusion: In this sample, males were more likely to develop early carious lesions around orthodontic appliances as indicated by the odds ratio. A greater proportion of the patients had between 3 and 6 white lesion spots in contrast to those with fewer than 3 and more than 6 WSL.