Simran Kohli
Independent Researcher
Delhi, India
Abstract
White spot lesions (WSLs), a common sequela of fixed orthodontic therapy, result from enamel demineralization caused by plaque accumulation around brackets and wires. Preventive measures such as fluoride varnishes have long been advocated to counteract this phenomenon. However, nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAp), a bioactive biomimetic material, has recently emerged as a promising alternative owing to its remineralization capability and biocompatibility. This study aims to compare the efficacy of n-HAp varnish and fluoride varnish in preventing demineralization after orthodontic treatment. A randomized, split-mouth clinical trial was conducted with 60 patients post orthodontic debonding, and the incidence of WSLs was assessed over 6 months using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). The results revealed that both agents contributed to remineralization, but n-HAp showed statistically superior enamel surface remineralization and lesion depth reduction. These findings suggest that n-HAp may be an effective, fluoride-free alternative for maintaining enamel integrity post-orthodontic treatment.
Keywords
Nano-hydroxyapatite, fluoride varnish, white spot lesions, enamel demineralization, remineralization, orthodontic treatment, QLF analysis
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