Preventing white spot lesions with fluoride pastes

Design Randomised controlled trial. Study population Patients undergoing routine orthodontic treatment, aged 12 years and older, were randomly allocated to use either Clinpro 5000, Clinpro Tooth Creme or MI Paste Plus for 4 months. Data Analysis Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyse the Enamel Decalcification Index (EDI) scores of the maxillary and mandibular arches from the right first premolar to the left first premolar at 0.05 level of significance. Fisher-protected least significant difference intervals were used to compare mean EDI scores. Two operators scored photographs independently and their scores were compared by using the t-test; no statistically significant difference (P ≥.05) was found between the operators. Results of each product were analysed individually and amongst themselves. A multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression was used to model factors predictive of EDI scores for individual teeth. Results Of the 120 subjects enrolled, 100 (35 using Clinpro 5000, 32 using Clinpro Tooth Creme, and 33 using MI Paste Plus) completed the study. The data lends support for Clinpro 5000 providing superior protection against enamel decalcification when compared to Clinpro Creme, and mixed support when compared to MI Paste Plus. Conclusions The use of Clinpro 5000, Clinpro Tooth Creme, and MI Paste Plus all have a reduction effect on white spot lesions when compared to studies reported previously. They found Clinpro 5000 to have a marginally better effect than the two other test pastes.