Aim: was to compare the effectiveness of single application of fluoride vanish™ (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) to its reapplication in preventing enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets, using a laser fluorescence monitoring device on a group of human extracted teeth in vitro.
Methods: Orthodontic brackets were bonded to 64 extracted premolars. Teeth were divided into two groups: group A and group B, each of 32 teeth. Each group was subjected to two demineralization cycles in standard demineralization solution. For group A fluoride vanish™
(3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) was applied around the orthodontic brackets only once before the 1st demineralization cycle, while for group B fluoride vanish™ was applied twice before both the 1st and 2nd demineralization cycle. Enamel demineralization was measured for both groups at baseline, after first demineralization cycle, and after second demineralization cycle using laser fluorescence device Diagnodent pen. Data were analyzed using Friedman test followed by Wilcoxon test. Differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.00.
Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups after the second demineralization cycle p < 0.001. Lesser demineralization was found in group B where fluoride varnish was applied twice.
Conclusion: Fluoride varnish reapplication is more effective in preventing enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets than single application.