A contemporary review of white spot lesions in orthodontics

Abstract

White spot lesions (WSL) associated with fixed orthodontic appliances are a common adverse effect of orthodontic treatment and represent a significant challenge to achieving esthetic excellence. The purpose of this article is to review the current evidence regarding diagnosis, risk assessment, prevention, intratreatment management, and postorthodontic treatment of WSL, and to provide clinical recommendations useful for both the orthodontist and the general dentist. Caries risk assessment should be incorporated into initial evaluations of orthodontic patients, and risk-specific prevention and management protocols can help to eliminate or minimize this clinical problem. There are multiple options for treatment of WSL, ranging from conservative to invasive techniques; the severity of lesions is a determinant of which option is most appropriate.

Clinical significance: White spot lesions associated with orthodontic treatment are a common problem that can be minimized with appropriate prevention, management, and treatment approaches.