White spot lesions are a formidable challenge during orthodontic treatment, affecting patients regardless of oral hygiene. Multifactorial in nature, among potential contributors to their development, are the microbiome and saliva pH. This lecture aims to review some of the basic concepts of white spot lesion etiology, prevention and treatment, as well as to share some of the findings of a pilot study that looked at the inherent regulation of salivary pH as a contributor to constituent habitation of the oral microbiome, leading to the predisposition for WSL development around fixed brackets.
Learning Objectives:
After this lecture, attendees will be able to:
Understand the buffering effect of saliva and local microbiome on the incidence of white spot lesions in orthodontic patients.
Understand the current knowledge about white spot lesion prevention and management during and after orthodontics.
Identify the difference between white spot lesion types that can develop during orthodontic treatment and how to handle them.
