In vitro effect of two resin based materials for treating initial caries lesion around braces, under cariogenic...

Orthodontic treatment makes the patient susceptible to the development of white spot lesions (WSL) due to the greater accumulation of bacterial plaque. The purpose of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the preventive effect of two resin materials on the incidence of these lesions in the region adjacent to the fixed bracket bonded under a WSL-treated area by two resin materials.

36 extracted human molars presenting natural WSL were included. They were randomly divided into 2 groups for intervention: IC (Infiltration resin Icon®) and PS (resin sealant Pro Seal ®). Braces were bonded just above the WSL. The enamel surface around the brace was treated by one of the tested materials, leaving another part to be control. The samples were submitted again to a cariogenic challenge. The exposed enamel non-treated area from booth groups comprised the control group (E). For morphological analysis, confocal images were taken at baseline, after treatment, and after pH cycling of each sample. Lesion depth were measured (µm) and compared to the enamel thickness to calculate a demineralization index. All groups were compared using the Kruskal Wallis test and Dunn's post-test.

PS group showed the lowest demineralization index (0.27 µm) when compared to the control area (0.39 µm) (p<0.05). IC presented a slightly higher percentage of lesions when compared to PS, however, did not differ significantly from the control exposed area.

The resin sealant Pro Seal® had a positive protective effect under white spot environmental area and Icon® infiltrant, although showed some protection, did not statistically differ from controls. Key words:Dental Caries, Orthodontics, Dental Enamel, Sealants.