Evaluation of the Green Tea Varnish Efficacy on Dental Caries Depth around the Orthodontic Brackets

Introduction: Implementing orthodontic treatment can cause severe caries in teeth in the shape of light spot. The present study planned to evaluate the ability of green tea varnish in the prevention of caries caused by fixed orthodontic. Materials & Methods: In the present experimental study, a total number of 45 premolar healthy teeth were selected and categorized into 3 equal groups (N=15) after placing brackets on them. Group 1 (control group): after placing brackets, teeth received no treatment. Group 2: green tea varnish was applied around the brackets in 48 hours intervals for a 21 days period of time. Group 3: green tea varnish was applied around the brackets in 24 hours intervals for a 21 days period of time. After this period, the 40 Micron sections were prepared cervical than the location of the brackets in order to study the avarage of caries depth in micrometers using polarized light in three points at a distance of 500 Micron from each other. The measurment data were analyzed by the SPSS 16.0 software using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney nonparametric statistical tests. A significance level of 0.05 was considered. Results: The average and standard deviation of the caries depth in groups 1, 2, and 3 is 452.03±290.72, 44.91±92.92 and zero respectively. The control group have the most caries depths compared to other groups. Results of groups 1 and 2 had no significant differenc (P=0.878); but, the groups 1 and 2 and also grous 1 and 3 had significant difference with each other (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the utilization of green tea varnish in 21-day period at 24 and 48 hours intervals reduces tooth caries around the orthodontic brackets.