Remineralization of post-orthodontic white spot lesions with a fluoride varnish and a self-assembling P 11 - 4 peptides: a prospective in-vivo-study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the remineralization effects of fluoride varnish (Clinpro White varnish), self-assembling peptide (Curodont Repair) and their combined use on WSL after orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two subjects, aged of 10-18 (mean age 13.91 +/- 2.92) with 107 post-orthodontic WSL were included in the study. Subjects were divided into four groups as control, tricalcium phosphate (TCP) containing fluoride varnish (Clinpro White varnish) group, self-assembling P11-4 peptides (Curodont Repair) group and combined application of the two products. At the beginning, each subjects' caries risk profile was assessed by evaluating diet cariogenicity, plaque index, gingival bleeding index and stimulated salivary flow rate. Before the application of the remineralization agents, WSL baseline demineralization values were determined with QLF Inspektor Pro, laser fluorescence using DIAGNOdent and color values were measured by Vita EasyShade. Remineralization data were obtained by measuring DeltaF, DeltaQ, and lesion area with QLF. The aesthetic improvement after the remineralization process was evaluated with a spectrophotometer at six weeks, three and six months. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of criteria determining patients' caries risk profiles, DIAGNOdent data, and plaque index scores (p > 0.05). Intra-group evaluation following remineralization revealed statistically significant increases in DeltaF and DeltaQ with a decrease in lesion area for the fluoride varnish group at six months, for the peptide group at three months, and for the combined application group at three and six months (p < 0.05). In inter-group comparisons, DeltaF and DeltaQ values were found to be statistically significant only in the fluoride group at six months compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). While the L* value decreased significantly in all groups at six months, a statistically significant difference in DeltaE* values was observed only in the control group between three and six months. CONCLUSION: Fluoride varnish with TCP showed highest remineralization at 6 months, and the remineralization was positively affected in the short term (three months) after the use of self-assembling P11-4 peptides and their combined application. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Remineralization obtained after single application of agents tested in six months in-vivo showed parallel results. In an attempt to trigger subsurface remineralization, the combined use of fluoride with self-assembling peptides as biomimetic remineralization agent needs further evaluation.