Caries-preventive effectiveness of a fluoride varnish: a randomized controlled trial in adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts.

Abstract

Regular fluoride varnish application reduced the number of white spot lesions (WSLs).

Main

Stecksén-Blicks C, Renfors G et al. Caries Res 2007; 41: 455–459

Early enamel demineralisation adjacent to orthodontic brackets is frequent, and may affect the aesthetic result. This double-masked study randomly allocated 273 children of mean age 14.3 yrs and requiring a maxillary fixed appliance to active fluoride varnish application or placebo varnish. Varnish was applied at bonding and then at every visit (approximately 6 weekly).

At baseline, WSLs were present in 4.3% of the active group and 4.0% of the placebo group (NS), and at debonding, respectively in 11.7% and 29.7% (P <0.001). General absolute risk reduction (ARR) was therefore 18%, and the number needed to treat was 5.6 (NNT: reciprocal of ARR). The incidence of WSLs was reduced in incisors, canines and premolars. The authors recommend adoption of the varnish routinely in such patients.