Camouflage effects following resin infiltration of postorthodontic white-spot lesions in vivo: One-year follow-up

Abstract

Objective: To assess camouflage effects by concealment of postorthodontic white-spot lesions (WSLs) to sound adjacent enamel (SAE) achieved over 12 months with resin infiltration (Icon, DMG, Hamburg, Germany).

Methods: Twenty subjects (trial teeth nteeth = 111) who had received resin infiltration treatment of noncavitated postorthodontic WSLs were contacted for a 1-year follow-up assessment of CIE-L*a*b* colors (T12). Color and lightness (CIE-L*a*b*) data for WSLs and SAE were compared to baseline data assessed before infiltration (T0) and those assessed after 6 months (T6), using a spectrophotometer. The target parameter was the difference between the summarized color and lightness values (ΔEWSL/SAE). Intergroup (WSL, SAE) and intertime comparisons (T0 vs T6, T12) were performed using paired t-tests at a significance level of α = 5%.

Results: Nine subjects (trial teeth nteeth = 49; male/female ratio 5/4; age range 13-19 years) were available at T12. After the highly significant reduction of ΔEWSL/SAE discrepancies between T0 and T6, analysis of 12-month records revealed color and lightness discrepancy of WSL vs SAE that was significantly decreased compared with baseline, indicating an assimilation of WSL color to SAE appearance after infiltration, while an additional reduction of discrepancies between T6 and T12 was not significant.

Conclusion: As color and lightness characteristics of the Icon infiltrant as well as the esthetic camouflage effects achieved by WSL infiltration were not altered significantly or clinically relevant after 12 months, the method of resin infiltration can be recommended for an enduring esthetic improvement of postorthodontic WSL.

Keywords: CIE-L*a*b*; Durability of camouflage effect; Icon; Resin infiltration; White spot lesion; in vivo.

Figures

Figure 1.

Color difference between white-spot lesions (WSLs) and sound adjacent enamel (SAE) at various assessment time points.The t-tests detected highly significant differences for summarized color and lightness values (ΔE CIE-L*a*b* b) of the WSL vs SAE areas between baseline measurements and measures taken 6 months (T6) or 12 months (T12) after infiltration. A further reduction of ΔE values between T6 and T12 was not found to be significant.

Figure 2.

An example of spectrophotometric recordings of one subject. Nontreated control teeth were also infiltrated after 6 months as part of an agreement with the patients. There was a typical temporary increase in lightness of control teeth after the infiltration appointment, which is an effect of desiccation. Overall, esthetic concealment of white-spot lesions worked out better in more superficial lesions, though the appearance of deeper lesions also benefits from resin infiltration, as evident from the depicted lower canine.