The Efficacy of Various Conditioning Methods in Restoring the Color of White Spot Lesions Through Resin Infiltration.

Introduction

This study aimed to assess the effects of supplemental conditioning methods, including extended etching time, Er,Cr:YSGG laser radiation, and sandblasting, on enhancing the recovery of white spot lesions (WSLs) through resin infiltration.

Methods

Seventy premolars were subjected to a cariogenic solution to induce WSLs. Subsequently, the teeth were divided into 5 groups of 14, based on the enamel conditioning protocol applied, as follows: Group 1: Icon-Etch (Control), Group 2: Double Icon-Etch, Group 3: Sandblasting+Icon-Etch, Group 4: Er,Cr:YSGG laser+Icon-Etch, and Group 5: Icon-Etch+Er,Cr:YSGG laser+Icon-Etch. The Er,Cr:YSGG laser (2780 nm) was applied at 0.75 W and 20 Hz. Tooth color was measured initially (T0), after WSL induction (T1), and following resin infiltration (T2). Color changes between treatment stages were compared among the groups.

Results

One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) displayed no significant differences in ΔET0-T1 or ΔET1-T2 between the groups (P>0.05). However, a significant difference was found between the groups in the color change from baseline to post-resin infiltration (ΔET0-T2) (P=0.004). The ΔET0-T2 was significantly lower in groups 4 and 5 compared to the control group and group 3. Group 2 did not demonstrate a significant difference from the other groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion

The combination of laser etching and acid etching was effective in enhancing the recovery of WSLs through resin infiltration. The ΔET0-T2 in groups subjected to laser plus acid etching fell below the critical threshold of 3.7 units, indicating that the post-treatment tooth color was not clinically distinguishable from the original tooth color.