Effect of a hydrophobic tooth coating on gingival health, mutans streptococci, and enamel demineralization in adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances

Abstract

The effect of an anti-adhesive enamel coating on plaque accumulation, gingival health, and enamel demineralization was evaluated in 39 adolescents undergoing treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances using a prospective split-mouth design. Immediately after bracket insertion, the polymer was randomly applied after enamel etching to the buccal surfaces of the teeth in the left or right upper quadrant, leaving the opposite quadrant as an untreated control (218 test and 216 control teeth). Reapplications were carried out every 3rd month during the course of the study. The following data were collected at baseline and at designated follow-ups: visible plaque index, total viable counts and proportion of mutans streptococci in plaque samples, gingival bleeding index, and amount of gingival crevicular fluid. The incidence of enamel demineralization adjacent to the appliances was scored clinically at the termination of the orthodontic treatment. The observation time ranged from 6-24 months, during which the participants used fluoride rinses and toothpaste daily. A slightly impaired gingival health and increased levels of mutans streptococci compared with baseline was disclosed during the treatment. Five subjects showed enamel demineralization on a total of 30 teeth at the time of de-bonding. The results indicated no statistically significant differences between the enamel-coated and untreated teeth with regard to the studied variables at any follow-up. In conclusion, the present findings did not support a clinically beneficial effect of the polymeric tooth coating in a low-caries group of adolescents treated with fixed orthodontic appliances.