Toothpaste efficacy with different Fluoride concentrations on white spot lesions, a randomized clinical trial

Introduction and objective: Toothpastes use for caries prevention are considered the most effective preventive strategy, although it is necessary to implement appropriate protocols based on individual risk, severity and age of the child, in order to prevent irreversible side effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the remineralizing effects on white spot lesions of fluoridated toothpastes. Materials and methods: A double blind randomized clinical trial was carried out in a Colombian high caries risk population; 112 white spot lesions assigned to four groups of toothpastes (0, 500, 1100, 1500 ppm) fluoride were assessed. ICDAS visual criteria which included progression, stability or reversal of the initial lesions were used in order to measure the response variable. Differences in proportions between groups were analyzed with Fisher´s test, the differences in dental plaque with Kruskall Wallis test and the McNemar test was used to compare differences before and after intervention. A multivariate analysis was performed with logistical regression. Forma de citar: Carmona-Arango LE, González-Martínez F, Lujan-Pardo MP. Eficacia de cremas dentales con fluoruros sobre lesiones de mancha blanca, ensayo clínico aleatorizado. Results: A statistical significance was found only at six weeks, with the possibility of reversal of the lesions higher for the group treated with 1500 ppm. Between the groups which received low content fluoride toothpastes and without fluoride there were no differences. Conclusions: Toothpastes with high ppm fluoride content produce a better effect at the beginning of the follow up period by reversal of white spot lesions, which is then balanced with the other groups with lower fluoride content, after six weeks. However, differences we observed between the effects produced with low and moderate fluoride content and without fluoride toothpastes, which reveals the importance of mechanical dental plaque removal.