Preventive Effect of Fluoride Varnish on White Spot Lesions Around Clear Aligner Attachment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Teaching Assistant, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

3 Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Abstract

Abstract
Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the fluoride varnish effectiveness in preventing white spot lesions (WSLs) around clear aligner attachments.
Materials and methods: Two similar samples of extracted human premolar teeth, with bonded composite attachment on the facial surface, were divided into two groups: Group 1 (control), which received no fluoride varnish, and Group 2 (F. varnish), in which fluoride varnish was applied, to evaluate the preventive effect of fluoride varnish on the development of white spot lesions (WSLs) around the clear aligner attachments. The teeth in both the fluoride varnish and control groups had been exposed to an acid-base challenge protocol. Enamel demineralization was evaluated using the DIAGNOdent pen. The obtained DIAGNOdent scores were subjected to a classification system to estimate the depth of demineralization in each group.
Results: Statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (p < 0.01) regarding change in DIAGNOdent scores. Teeth in group 1 (control) demonstrated a higher increase in the mean DIAGNOdent score values in comparison to the teeth that received preventive fluoride varnish application. The control group exhibited significantly deeper enamel demineralization, with 93.7% of the samples displaying demineralization reaching the inner half of the enamel, whereas this extent was observed in only 12.5% of the samples in the fluoride varnish group.
Conclusion: Preventive fluoride varnish application was found to be effective in reducing both the incidence and severity of enamel demineralization around the clear aligner attachments.

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Egyptian Dental Journal
Volume 71, Issue 4 - Serial Number 1
(Orthodontics, Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry)
October 2025
Pages 2857-2864

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