M Beerens

56 CHAPTER 4 ABSTRACT Objectives The effects of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (CPP-ACPF) paste (MI Paste Plus ® ) vs. control paste on the remineralisation of white spot caries lesions and on plaque composition were tested in a double- blind prospective randomized clinical trial. Design Fifty-four orthodontic patients, with multiple white spot lesions observed upon the removal of fixed appliances, were followed up for 3 months. Subjects were randomly assigned to either CPP-ACPF paste (MI Paste Plus ® ) or control paste for home use, 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, Streptococcus mutans , and Lactobacillus spp. were measured in plaque samples obtained just before debonding, and 6 and 12 weeks afterwards. Results A significant decrease in fluorescence loss was found with respect to baseline for both groups and no difference was found between groups. The size of the lesion area did not change significantly over time or between the groups. The percentages of aciduric bacteria and of Streptococcus mutans decreased from 47.4 to 38.1% and from 9.6 to 6.6%, respectively. Conclusions No differences were found between groups. No clinical advantages were observed for use of the CPP-ACPF paste (MI Paste Plus ® ) supplementary to normal oral hygiene over the time span of 3 months.