Fluoride-releasing elastomeric modules reduce decalcification: a randomized controlled trial

To determine whether fluoride releasing elastomeric modules reduced the incidence of decalcification around orthodontic brackets during a complete course of orthodontic treatment.

A randomised controlled, split mouth design.

The study was carried out in the orthodontic department of Newcastle-upon-Tyne Dental Hospital, UK.

21 consecutive patients (126 teeth) undergoing fixed appliance therapy were studied. A split mouth technique was adopted to examine the upper labial segment, where one side (left or right) was randomly assigned to the experimental group, and the opposite side served as a control throughout their course of orthodontic treatment.

The control teeth were ligated to the archwire using conventional modules. The experimental teeth were ligated to the archwire using Fluoride releasing elastomeric modules.

Standardised photographs were taken of the upper labial segment before and after completion of orthodontic treatment, and the degree of decalcification assessed in each tooth quadrant, using a modification of the Enamel Defect Score.

Decalcification was found to occur in both treatment groups, though to a significantly greater degree on the control side (p = 0.002). The fluoride module side showed significantly fewer serious decalcified lesions than the control (p = 0.013). No patients withdrew from the study.

It would appear that the use of fluoride releasing elastomeric modules reduces the degree of decalcification experienced during orthodontic treatment.