Prevalence of White Spot Lesions in Patients Treated with Passive Self-ligation Orthodontic Appliances: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: White Spot Lesions (WSLs), also known as "white opacity," are the result of the demineralisation occurring on tooth surfaces in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. In addition to the various other factors, development of WSLs can also be influenced by the type of brackets and ligation employed. Aim: Evaluating the prevalence of WSL among patients who underwent fixed orthodontic treatment with passive self-ligation mechanotherapy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using photographic records of patients who received orthodontic treatment using a passive self-ligation system at Saveetha Dental College in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The records of 97 patients in the age range of 10 to 30 years who received orthodontic treatment using the Damon self-ligating system regardless of gender were obtained from April 2016 to April 2021. The presence of WSL was investigated retrospectively before and after treatment. Modified Gorelick's scale was used for scoring the lesions. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17.0 and paired t-tests were done. Results: Data of total of 97 subjects (45 females (46.39%) and 52 males (54.63%), mean age: 17.70 +/- 5.72 years) undergoing orthodontic treatment with self-ligation brackets was included in the study. The overall prevalence percent of WSLs in the study was 71.13%. The prevalence of WSLs among females was 70.5% and in males, it was 73%. There was no statistical significance for association between gender and severity of WSLs and there was a statistical significance for association of age group and severity of WSLs in upper lateral incisors and canines (p<0.05). Conclusion: The most commonly involved teeth were upper central incisors and second premolars, and the overall WSLs incidence in subjects undergoing passive self-ligation therapy was 71.9 %. No influence of the gender was noted and severe lesions were commonly noted in maxillary lateral incisors of young individuals.