Tooth enamel demineralization in children during treatment with aligners: impact of oral hygiene and oral fluid pH (a pilot study)

Abstract

The use of removable and non-removable orthodontic equipment shifts the biochemical, microbiological, and immunological balance of the oral cavity, which contributes to the increase in the risk for tooth hard tissue carious lesions and for periodontal diseases. Objective. To identify the relationship of the activity of the development of enamel demineralization on the initial level of hygiene in the patient and on the level of his oral fluid acidity. Subjects and methods. The investigators evaluated the patient hygiene performance (PHP) index and the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) index and also measured the oral fluid pH in 6–12-year-old patients with a changeable occlusion who have undergone treatment with aligners. The patients were divided into 2 groups: a study group (n=25) who had received treatment with aligners and a control group (n=25) who had not received this treatment option. Results. No statistically significant differences were found between the study and control groups in the probability of developing a carious lesion; however, the localization of enamel demineralization foci differed significantly in the groups, which needs further study.