In Vitro Comparison Of Fluoride Gel Alone and in Combination With Er,Cr:YSGG Laser on Reducing White Spot Lesions in Primary Teeth

Abstract Introduction: Laser therapy has been suggested as a method for caries-prevention, and ErCr:YSGG laser is increasingly used in dentistry. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of fluoride gel alone and in conjunction with Er,Cr:YSGG laser for remineralization of white spot lesions (WSLs) in primary teeth.Methods: This study was conducted on ۲۰ primary teeth with WSLs extracted for orthodontic reasons. Three sections were made of each tooth at the site of WSLs. The surface area of WSLs was measured under a stereomicroscope at ×۲۵ magnification. Samples were assigned to ۳ groups of control (group ۱), exposure to ۱.۲۳% APF gel for ۴ minutes (group ۲) and Er,Cr:YSGG laser (۰.۵ W power, ۲۰ Hz frequency, ۶۰% water, ۴۰% air, pulse duration of ۵±۱ seconds) plus fluoride (group ۳). All samples were stored in artificial saliva for ۱۰ days and then the surface area of the WSLs was measured again under a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed rank tests.Results: The reduction in surface area of the WSLs was significantly different between the control and fluoride (P < ۰.۰۰۱) and also the control and laser plus fluoride groups (P < ۰.۰۰۱); the difference between fluoride and laser plus fluoride groups was not significant (P = ۰.۲۶۵). Comparison of the surface area of WSLs before and after the intervention showed no significant difference in group one (P = ۰.۷۳۷) while this difference in groups ۲ (P < ۰.۰۰۱) and ۳ (P < ۰.۰۰۱) was statistically significant.Conclusion: The results showed that Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation plus ۱.۲۳% APF gel was not significantly different from the application of fluoride gel alone in enhancing the remineralization of WSLs. Keywords: White spot lesions Fluoride Er Cr YSGG laser APF gel Remineralization