Reducing white spot lesion incidence during fixed appliance therapy

Fixed orthodontic appliances are commonly used in contemporary orthodontic treatment and can be associated with the development of white spot lesions on the teeth. These lesions can be detrimental to both the aesthetics and health of the teeth so prevention is better than cure and patient selection is critical. This paper discusses predictors of development in addition to methods to help prevent white spot lesions during fixed appliance therapy. Recommendations for oral hygiene regimes during fixed orthodontic appliance treatment are given, the development of white spot lesions (WSLs) described and ways to predict their occurrence identified.