Development of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment: Perceptions of patients, parents, orthodontists, and general dentists

Maxfield, Blake J.
Hamdan, Ahmad M.
Tüfekçi, Eser
Shroff, Bhavna
Best, Al M.
Lindauer, Steven J.

^aPrivate practice, Salt Lake City, Utah
^bAssociate professor, Department of Child Dental Health and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
^cAssociate professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va
^dProfessor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va
^eAssociate professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Periodontics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va
^fProfessor and chair, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va

^*Reprint requests to: Steven J. Lindauer, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980566, Richmond, VA 23298-0566.

E-mail address:[email protected]

The authors report no commercial, proprietary, or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.

Supported in part by the Medical College of Virginia Orthodontic Education and Research Foundation.

Submitted, April 2011; revised and accepted, August 2011.

American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics 141(3):p 337-344, March 2012.

Introduction

Despite the many advances to improve the practice of orthodontics, white spot lesions, or decalcifications, remain a common complication in patients with poor oral hygiene. The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions and level of awareness of patients, parents, orthodontists, and general dentists toward the development of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment.

Methods

This was a prospective epidemiologic survey of the perceptions of orthodontic patients (n = 315), parents (n = 279), orthodontists (n = 305), and general dentists (n = 191) regarding the significance, prevention, and treatment of white spot lesions.

Results

All surveyed groups indicated that white spot lesions detracted from the overall appearance of straight teeth, attributed primary responsibility for the prevention of white spot lesions to the patients themselves, and thought that the general dentist should be responsible for treating white spot lesions. Patients regarded themselves as ultimately responsible for the prevention of white spot lesions (P <0.05).

Conclusions

The patients, parents, orthodontists, and general dentists had similar perceptions regarding the significance, prevention, and treatment of white spot lesions. All groups indicated that patients were the most responsible for the prevention of white spot lesions. Communication among patients, parents, orthodontists, and general dentists needs to improve to decrease the incidence of white spot lesions in the orthodontic population.