Remineralization Assessment of Early Childhood Caries using QLF-D: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess remineralization effects after applying fluoride varnish on children with white spot in maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth using quantitative light-induced fluorescence. Methods/ Statistical Analysis: 56 participants (2–5 years old) were randomly divided into the Fluor protector group (n=28) and the FluorDose group (n=28). An oral examination was performed at baseline, and QLF-D was used for observations on early caries lesion. After applying the assigned fluoride varnish, QLF-D images were reacquired after 2 and 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and t-test with PASW statistics 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Findings: Both groups showed a significant decrease in ΔF value from baseline to after 4 weeks (p < 0.05), at which time, Groups I and II showed a decrease of 5.88% and 1.71%, respectively. There was not statistically significant difference between group I and group II. According to QLF-D scores (0, 1, and 2), all groups showed the highest remineralization rate at score 2 after 2 weeks fluoride application. In the results from after 4 weeks, Group I showed the highest remineralization rate at score 2 (13.2%), while Group II showed the highest remineralization rate at score 1 (9.96%). Improvements/Applications: Viscosity and concentration of the fluoride varnish showed that not to affect the remineralization effect. QLF-D is thought to be useful device in observation of early carious lesion in ECC. *