Effect of calcium fluoride nanoparticles in prevention of demineralization during orthodontic fixed appliance treatment: a randomized clinical trial

Background White spot lesions (WSLs) are the most common complications of fixed appliance orthodontic treatment. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of calcium fluoride nanoparticles-containing orthodontic primer (nCaF(2)-primer) in preventing the incidence of WSLs during orthodontic treatment. Trial design Single-centre, double-blinded, split-mouth, randomized clinical trial. Methods The sample involved 31 orthodontic patients (>= 12 years). Participants were recruited using a simple nonstratified randomization. Data collection, measurements, and analysis were performed blindly. Outcome measures included comparing the effect of nCaF(2)-primer with control primer (Transbond) regarding the degree of demineralization (DIAGNOdent pen), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) bacterial counting [real-time polymerase chain reaction device (PCR)], and WSLs incidence (pre- and post-operative photographs). The measurements were performed before bonding, 1, 3, and 6 months after bonding and after appliance removal. A two-way repeated measure analysis of variance test (for DIAGNOdent pen scores), and Wilcoxon signed-rank test (for the difference between bacterial counting and WSLs incidence) were used (P < 0.05). Results Thirty-one patients were recruited and randomized (mean age 17.9 +/- 2.45 years). For the primary outcome (DIAGNOdent pen scores) and secondary outcome of S. mutans counting: 31 patients (310 teeth for each group) were included in scoring at T1 and T3, and 30 patients (300 teeth) were included at T6. While for the photographic scores, 26 patients were included after bracket bonding. The demineralization scores showed significant differences at all-time intervals within the 6 months after bracket bonding which was more noticeable after the first month. There was a significant difference in bacterial count between the two primer groups at the T1 only. Regarding photographic scores, there were no significant differences in the WSLs incidence between the two primers groups after brackets removal. No harm was detected during treatment, except the usual pain/gingival irritation. Conclusions nCaF(2)-primer effectively decreased demineralization scores within the 6 months after bracket bonding. Moreover, it significantly reduced S. mutans colonization after the first month. However, the tested primer did not have an extra advantage in preventing WSLs development at the clinical level after appliance removal.