Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital as an oral hygiene evaluation tool to assess plaque accumulation and enamel demineralization in orthodontics

Objective: To assess the use of Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital as an oral hygiene evaluation tool during orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, 33 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic appliance treatment were randomly allocated to receive oral hygiene reinforcement at four consecutive appointments using either white light (WL) or Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF) images, taken with a device, as visual aids. Oral hygiene was recorded assessing the QLF images for demineralization, by fluorescence loss (Delta F), and plaque coverage (Delta R30). A debriefing questionnaire ascertained patient perspectives. Results: There were no significant differences in demineralization (P = .56) or plaque accumulation (P = .82) between the WL and QLF groups from T0 to T4. There was no significant reduction in demineralization, Delta F, in the WL, or the QLF group from T0-T4 (P > .05); however, there was a significant reduction in Delta R30 plaque scores (P < .05). All the participants found being shown the images helpful, with 100% of the QLF group reflecting that it would be useful to have oral hygiene reinforcement for the full duration of treatment compared with 81% of the WL group (OR 2.3; P < .05). Conclusions: Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital can be used to detect and monitor demineralization and plaque during orthodontics. Oral hygiene reinforcement at consecutive appointments using WL or QLF images as visual aids is effective in reducing plaque coverage. In terms of clinical benefits, QLF and WL images are of similar effectiveness; however, patients preferred the QLF images.