M Beerens

120 CHAPTER 7 Chapter 4 Remineralising effect of MI Paste Plus ® on the regression of early caries after orthodontic fixed appliance treatment; a randomized 3-month follow-up clinical trial. The effectiveness of MI Paste Plus ® as remineralising agent for WSL is analysed for a period of 3 months, by two outcome measures: 1. QLF imaging to assess changes in WSL severity, and 2. Conventional microbiology to determine changes in plaque composition. This chapter describes the results of a double-blind prospective randomised controlled trial. Fifty-four orthodontic patients, with multiple white spot lesions observed after the removal of fixed appliances, were followed up for 3 months. Included subjects were randomly assigned to either MI Paste Plus ® paste or to a placebo paste, as control, to be used supplementary to their normal oral hygiene. Caries regression was assessed on quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) images captured directly after debonding and 6 and 12 weeks thereafter. The total counts and proportions of aciduric bacteria, S. mutans , and Lactobacillus spp. were determined in plaque samples obtained at three time points, just before debonding and 6 and 12 weeks later. Results showed a significant decrease in fluorescence loss compared to baseline values for both groups, with no difference found between these groups. The size of the lesion area did not change significantly over time, neither between the groups. The percentages of aciduric bacteria and of S. mutans also decreased. Again no differences were found between the groups. No clinical advantages are found for the use of MI Paste Plus ® paste supplementary to normal oral hygiene over the time span of 12 weeks.