Fluoride-releasing elastomeric modules reduce decalcification: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To determine whether fluoride releasing elastomeric modules reduced the incidence of decalcification around orthodontic brackets during a complete course of orthodontic treatment.

Design: A randomised controlled, split mouth design.

Setting: The study was carried out in the orthodontic department of Newcastle-upon-Tyne Dental Hospital, UK.

Subject And Methods: 21 consecutive patients (126 teeth) undergoing fixed appliance therapy were studied. A split mouth technique was adopted to examine the upper labial segment, where one side (left or right) was randomly assigned to the experimental group, and the opposite side served as a control throughout their course of orthodontic treatment.

Interventions: The control teeth were ligated to the archwire using conventional modules. The experimental teeth were ligated to the archwire using Fluoride releasing elastomeric modules.

Outcome Measures: Standardised photographs were taken of the upper labial segment before and after completion of orthodontic treatment, and the degree of decalcification assessed in each tooth quadrant, using a modification of the Enamel Defect Score.

Results: Decalcification was found to occur in both treatment groups, though to a significantly greater degree on the control side (p = 0.002). The fluoride module side showed significantly fewer serious decalcified lesions than the control (p = 0.013). No patients withdrew from the study.

Conclusions: It would appear that the use of fluoride releasing elastomeric modules reduces the degree of decalcification experienced during orthodontic treatment.