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Fluoride Delivery to Prevent White Spots During Orthodontic Treatment

A Randomised, Controlled Trial to Assess the Effect of Different Modes of Fluoride Delivery on Enamel Demineralisation, During Orthodontic Treatment With Fixed Appliances

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05005689
Acronym
FL4OWS
Enrollment
130
Registered
2021-08-13
Start date
2023-10-20
Completion date
2025-09-30
Last updated
2023-11-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Orthodontic Appliance Complication, Tooth Demineralization

Keywords

Fluoride, CPP-ACP

Brief summary

The aim of this 2-armed, parallel, randomised, controlled trial is to assess the effect of different ways of applying fluoride to teeth on the formation of white spots (enamel demineralisation), during orthodontic treatment with fixed metal braces, in children and adolescents.

Detailed description

One of the most common side-effects and risks of orthodontic treatment with fixed (metal) braces is damage to the outer surface (enamel) of the teeth. This damage can take the form of white or brown spots on the teeth (white spot lesions; WSLs) or if severe, holes in the teeth that need a filling. The aims of this study are to find out the best way of preventing damage to the teeth of children and adolescents who are under going orthodontic treatment with fixed (metal) braces. The participants will be 130 children, aged 11-16 years old, inclusive. The participants will be split into two groups using a process called randomisation. The treatments will be standard fluoride toothpaste (Colgate) and either: 1. Fluoride mouth wash (Fluorigard) or 2. Tooth Mousse Plus The participants' teeth will be checked at every visit and the brace adjusted. Photographs of the participants' teeth will be taken very 3 months to see if any of the teeth have been damaged. The participants will be asked about the impact of their teeth on their life. Participants and parents will be asked about the impact of any white spots that form on the participants' teeth during the treatment with fixed (metal) braces. The study will follow the participants through the whole length of treatment which will take about 2 years.

Interventions

DRUGFluoride mouthwash (0.05%; 225ppm).

Mouthwash

DRUGTooth Mousse Plus

Tooth Mousse

Sponsors

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Lead SponsorOTHER_GOV

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
11 Years to 16 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Planned to receive orthodontic treatment with upper and lower fixed orthodontic appliances (braces) either alone or following a period of functional appliance treatment. * 11-16 years of age inclusive at the start of the fixed orthodontic appliance treatment. * All genders. * Fit and well with no chronic disease necessitating regular hospital follow-up at hospital. * Willing to participate

Exclusion criteria

* Significant disabilities that may affect manual dexterity; * Any medical complication that would contraindicate the use of the fluoride treatments or milk products; * Previous orthodontic treatment except Phase I functional appliance treatment; * From areas that have fluoridated water supply\*; * Full coronal coverage restorations; * More than 2 missing anterior teeth; * Showing signs of systemic illness e.g. fever, cough, loss of taste/smell; * Any abnormality of face, lips e.g. cleft lip and/or palate or craniofacial abnormality or soft tissues of the mouth e.g. aphthous ulcers or connective tissue disorder.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
New white spot lesions (WSLs)Through to study completion, an average of 2 yearsThe incidence of new demineralisation (WSLs), developing on the anterior teeth during fixed orthodontic treatment assessed from white light and quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) images, will be measured. Numerical scale 0 - unlikely to be more than 100. Higher score is worse.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Size of white spot lesion (WSL)Through to study completion, an average of 2 yearsThe degree (∆F) of enamel demineralisation on the surfaces of the anterior teeth measure from quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) images. Measured as a percentage (%) compared to baseline i.e. loss of mineral. Scale ∆F 0% to -100%; Higher score is worse.
Extent of white spot lesion (WSL)Through to study completion, an average of 2 yearsThe extent (∆Q) of enamel demineralisation on the surfaces of the anterior teeth. measure from quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) images. Measured as a percentage per millimetre squared (%mm-2) compared to baseline i.e. loss of mineral. Scale ∆Q 0% to -100%mm-2. Higher score is worse.
Participants' perception of WSLThrough to study completion, an average of 2 yearsParticipants' perception of the WSLs. Measured on 100mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Scale 0 to 100. Higher score is worse.
Parents' perception of WSLThrough to study completion, an average of 2 yearsParents' perception of the WSLs. Measured on 100mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Scale 0 to 100. Higher score is worse.
MIQ ScoreThrough to study completion, an average of 2 yearsMalocclusion Impact Questionnaire (MIQ) score. Measured using a 17-item questionnaire. Total score will be used where minimum score is 0 and maximum score is 34; higher score indicates poorer oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Countries

United Kingdom

Contacts

Primary ContactJayne E Harrison, FDS, PhD
Jayne.Harrison@liverpoolft.nhs.uk441517065030
Backup ContactNorah L Flannigan, FDS, PhD
NLF@liverpool.ac.uk441517065210

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026