During & After Orthodontic Treatment
Treatment to realign teeth over a period of time places a burden on tooth enamel, because of the etching and cementing required to affix orthodontic brackets and their obstruction of access to the teeth for tooth-brushing and oral hygiene, as well as damage to the tooth surface when the brackets are finally detached. Applying APAPRO to supplement tooth mineral prior to the attachment of brackets can help alleviate this burden, while having the patient use a nano<mHAP> toothpaste daily throughout the treatment reduces the likelihood white spot lesions, i.e. incipient caries, developing. Application of APAPRO high-concentration enamel restorative both immediately after and on a continuing basis following debonding also helps to repair surface damage caused by cement removal as well as to remineralize any white spot lesions that may have arisen around the brackets base. In cases where severe or persistent white spot lesions have arisen, providing the patient with a customized tray and individual pack of APAPRO paste for periodic home care is recommended, and one or more recall visits to monitor regression of the white spots and provide additional clinical treatment with the restorative paste as required
(13-year-old girl, treated for roughened enamel and white spot lesions after orthodontic brackets removal)
Appearance during the period of orthodontic treatment
After detachment of brackets, residual cement was removed gently with a hand instrument to avoid enamel cracking
This was followed by mechanical polishing using a special point, to remove final cement fragments
Cement removal revealed white spots around the brackets base
Initial application of APAPRO paste with a rubber cup
Appearance after one month (two fortnightly treatments with APAPRO*). The enamel was smoother, and white spot lesions had decreased in size
Clinical Example 2
(18-year-old girl, presenting with cement fragments still on her teeth after debonding at another clinic)
Appearance on presentation: plaque and cement fragments visible where brackets had been removed
Abrasive polishing with prophy paste to remove plaque and residual cement revealed deep white spot lesions
Appearance after 4 once-a-month treatments with APAPRO.* Enamel was smoother, and white spots had decreased in size