Do total or partial etching procedures effect the rate of white spot lesion formation? A single-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether total or partial etching procedures influence the appearance of white spot lesions (WSLs). Materials and Methods: This split-mouth, double-blind, controlled, randomized study included 20 patients (mean age 16.75 years), who had class I malocclusion, mild crowding, and satisfactory oral hygiene. A total of 40 maxillary quadrants were randomly allocated to be treated using a total etching (TE) or partial etching (PE) protocol. Quantitative light fluorescence images were captured at the beginning and at 3 (T1) and 6 (T2) months after beginning orthodontic treatmen, as well as when the debonding phase of orthodontic treatment was complete (T3). The presence of pre- and posttreatment WSLs was assessed with quantitative light fluorescence software and analyzed with Student's t-test. Results: The analyses showed that, at T2, the total etching group had significantly higher ΔQ and A scores than the partial etching group (P < .05). The ΔF scores increased significantly at all timepoints in the TE group, but only at T1 and T3 in the PE group. However, no differences were noted at T3 between the TE and PE groups (P > .05). The inclusion of only right-handed people may have limited the generalizability of the findings. The absence of analyses of the plaque and gingivitis scores of patients was another limitation of this study. Conclusions: WSL formation was observed mostly in maxillary lateral incisor teeth irrespective of the etching technique. Although PE seems to be more successful in the first 6 months, no difference was observed between PE and TE in the long term for WSL formation.

The effect of antimicrobial peptide-added adhesive resins on shear bond strength and adhesive remnant index of orthodontic brackets

“…It has been suggested that total and partial acid etching principles do not differ signi cantly in assessing WSL formation, but less bracket failure is expected within 6 months following partial acid etching. 41 Pure Nisin formed a 2.7 cm diameter zone during antimicrobial tests, while the Nisin-adhesive mixture formed a 1.2 cm (12 mm) diameter zone at a 1/40 mixture rate. This zone diameter is believed to provide a safe antimicrobial and anti-cariogenic effect zone on the tooth surface when applying the adhesive under partial acid etching.…”

White Spots: Prevention in Orthodontics—Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Enamel etching performed before the location of brackets is also believed to be responsible for the rise in caries in subjects undergoing fixed therapy. The study by Yagci et al, 2019 examined possible distinctions between partial and full etching [ 23 ]. This was a double-blind randomized controlled trial of 20 patients with a medium age of 16.75 years, excellent dental hygiene, malocclusion, and fixed orthodontic therapy.…”