Introduction

With the introduction of completely customized lingual appliances (CCLA), a growing number of children and adolescents are now being treated with this technique [1, 2] (Figure 1). Besides the aesthetic advantages of CCLA, they have also been shown to reduce the enamel decalcification risk during comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

Figure 1
figure 1

Completely customized lingual appliances (CCLA), Incognito™ (3 M Top Service für Lingualtechnik, Bad Essen, Germany).

Full size image

Van der Veen et al. [3], in a prospective randomized split-mouth study, showed the incidence of white spot lesions (WSL) on the buccal surfaces around the labial brackets, to be almost five times higher than developing or progressing lesions found on the lingual surfaces with lingual brackets. Additionally, besides the number of lesions, their severity as measured by the integrated calcium loss, was on average ten times higher with labial fixed appliances than with lingual fixed appliances [3]. Knowing that WSL are a frequent and irreversible problem in relation to orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances, lingual orthodontic treatment has the potential to improve the quality of comprehensive orthodontic care [4–10].

Because of the anatomical variations in the lingual tooth surfaces and the increased importance of correct bracket placement, particularly in the third order, direct bonding of lingual brackets has been shown to be imprecise and leads to major problems at the finishing stages of treatment [11]. The use of a laboratory procedure for customized lingual bracket placement has become a standard protocol. The placement of a lingual appliance into the mouth is carried out using an indirect bonding procedure [11–13]. In contrast to direct bonding methods, indirect bonding could involve leaving voids between the individual bracket bases and the teeth if it is carried out with a transfer tray for the entire dental arch (Figure 2). The reasons for these voids are mainly minor tooth movements that can occur between the day of the impression taking and the day of the bonding. These movements could result in minor variations of the fit of the bracket base to the tooth surface, when the bonding tray is in its final position. Although a bonding resin is applied on both the bracket base and tooth surface, the gap may not be completely filled with resin. This can lead to carious lesions under the bracket, which will be defined as sub bracket lesions (SBL).

Figure 2
figure 2

Silicon transfer tray for the entire upper arch including the customized lingual brackets. Arrow shows some of the lingual bracket bases with a resin coating, ready for bonding.

Full size image

Indirect bonding procedures could also be carried out with the use of single transfer jigs instead of a transfer tray, but the risk of wrong bracket placement especially in areas with crowding may compromise the quality of the final outcome (Figure 3). Furthermore not only for the practitioner but also for young patients, it is desirable to keep the bonding appointment short; therefore bonding with a transfer tray is recommended [11–13] (Figure 2).

Figure 3
figure 3

Single transfer Jig (1), on a plaster cast, with a lingual bracket (2).

Full size image

This study investigated if the addition of an extra layer of bonding resin helped to prevent voids between the bracket base and the tooth surface, reducing the development of SBL in lingual orthodontic treatment of children and adolescents.

Subjects and methods

Subjects

The sample of this study consisted initially of 45 patients treated in a private orthodontic clinic (Wiechmann and Partners, Bad Essen, Germany) from 2010 to 2012. Following the introduction of a new modified bonding protocol in the practice in April 2010, a group of 20 consecutively bonded patients, who had received this new bonding procedure between April and May 2010, were included in the study along with another group of 20 consecutively bonded patients, who had received the standard bonding protocol treatment between February and March 2010.

The inclusion criteria for selection of both groups, consisted of patients who (1) had undergone comprehensive orthodontic treatment with a completely customized lingual appliance (Incognito™, 3 M Top Service für Lingualtechnik, Bad Essen, Germany); (2) were under 18 years of age at the start of treatment; (3) had an initial and final series of intraoral photographs; (4) had an initial plaque score index of less than 15%; (5) no WSL on the lingual surfaces of the upper front teeth (canine to canine) and (6) received professional standardized dietary and oral hygiene instructions based on the German individual prophylaxis program [14], including advice on the use of fluoridated toothpaste, three times a day (1400 ppm).

Two of the 45 patients had either atypical enamel formation or palatal restorations on the evaluated tooth surfaces before commencing orthodontic treatment. Three of the 45 patients had an adjusted bonding procedure due to impacted or not fully erupted canines. These five patients were excluded from the study.

Method

Of the two groups, group A (n=20) followed the standard indirect bonding protocol using the chemical cure bonding resin Maximum Cure™ (Reliance Orthodontic Products Inc., Itasca, IL, USA). This resin was placed on the individual bracket bases and the tooth surfaces prior to the insertion of the transfer tray. The patients in group B (n=20) underwent a modified bonding procedure. A supplementary layer of ExciTE® F DSC (Ivoclar Vivadent, Ellwangen, Germany), a dual cure single component enamel-dentin bonding agent, which contains fluoride (0.3% in vol.-% calcium fluoride) was applied prior to the application of Maximum Cure on the upper anterior tooth surfaces. ExciTE® F DSC has a high volume fraction of monomers, hence is less sensitive to moisture (hydrophilic). This bonding agent was placed on all lingual surfaces of the upper anterior teeth (upper right canine to upper left canine) and was air blown in order to ensure a thin layer (Figure 4).

Figure 4
figure 4

New bonding protocol for upper anterior area. A) Etched and air dried lingual surfaces of the maxillary anterior segment. B) Etched maxillary anterior lingual tooth surface (1), ExciTE® F DSC being applied to the tooth (2). C) Maxillary anterior lingual tooth surfaces with ExciTE® F DSC being air dried.

Full size image

The incidence of SBL were evaluated by assessing pre and post treatment photographs in a standardized manner. Pre- and post-treatment intraoral photographs of each patient were taken as part of the standard lingual orthodontic treatment, by professionals in the orthodontic clinic. A digital camera (Nikon D200, AF Mikro Nikkon 105 mm, Nikon Marco Speedlight SB-29; Nikon, Tokyo,Japan) was used. The camera was positioned at a standard distance of 40 cm, perpendicular to the maxillary incisors, for the images of the upper jaw in the occlusal plane. The intra oral mouth mirrors were rinsed with warm water and dried before taking each photograph (Figure 5A-C).

Figure 5
figure 5

Severity of SBLs. A) Mild demineralization (degree I) after fixed lingual orthodontic treatment. B) Moderate demineralization (degree II) after fixed lingual orthodontic treatment. C) Severe demineralization (degree III) after fixed lingual orthodontic treatment.

Full size image

The resulting pre and post treatment images were evaluated twice, with an interval of 6 weeks apart, by three trained investigators using a computer. Maxillary canines, lateral and central incisors (UR3-UL3) were examined and the lingual tooth surfaces were scored with a binary system for the presence of sub bracket lesions (SBL). In total 240 lingual surfaces were evaluated twice by each examiner.

Patient data collected included sex, age and duration of treatment time. The latter was calculated as the complete period between the bonding of the full fixed lingual appliances and their removal. Early intervention treatment was not included in the calculation of the treatment time.

Examiners reproducibility

The examiners were blinded for the group assignment and their previous assessment scores. In the instance of a disagreement, the tooth surface was re-examined until consensus was reached in accordance with the World Health Organization definition of acceptable consistency: that examiners should attempt to achieve at least an 80 per cent agreement between the results of duplicate examinations.

Statistical evaluation

The statistical evaluation was carried out using SPSS® (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 7 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). The Pearson Chi-Squared test and the Fisher Exact test were used to assess significant differences between the two groups with a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05). The null hypothesis was, the addition of an extra bonding layer of an hydrophilic resin would not help to prevent SBL.

Results

The average age for all patients at the start of treatment was 14.0 years (range of 11.7 - 17.1 years). The overall treatment duration for the entire sample was on average 19.7 months (range of 11.5 - 27.9 months) (Figure 6). The average patient age of group A (without Excite) was 13.9 years (range 12.3 - 15.9 years) and the average treatment time was 20.8 months (range 11.5 - 27.9 months). For group B (with Excite) the average patient age at the start of treatment was 14.2 years (range 11.7 - 17.1 years) and the average treatment time was 18.7 months (range 13.3 - 25.3 months).

Figure 6
figure 6

Incidence of SBL by patient and by study group.

Full size image

Prevalence and severity

In group A, 18 SBL occurred representing 15% of the lingual tooth surfaces. In group B, SBL occurred on 6 lingual tooth surfaces (5%) (Table 1 and Figure 6). Both statistical tests showed that the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (Table 2). Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected. The variables sex and age were not significantly related to the development of new SBL.

Table 1 Numbers and percentages of lingual surfaces with and without SBL development divided into group A (without ExciTE® F DSC) and group B (with ExciTE® F DSC)
Full size table
Table 2 Significance tests: Pearson Chi-squared-test and Fisher Exact-test
Full size table

Discussion

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment of children and adolescents has shown a lower risk of decalcification around the brackets when using fixed lingual appliances compared to labial appliances [3]. In general, decalcification on the lingual tooth surfaces was only seen in the maxillary frontal area from canine to canine [3]. Therefore, this seems to be the area at risk when using lingual appliances.

Because of the complexity of lingual orthodontic treatment, indirect bonding procedures have undisputed advantages in terms of precise bracket placement. Today, most practitioners use an indirect bonding protocol for the placement of lingual appliances [3, 11, 12]. This is in contrast to labial bracket bonding, which in most cases is direct bonding. Only a few orthodontists are using indirect procedures for labial bonding [15, 16]. Their reasons for this are: i. shorter appointments, ii. more precise bracket placement and iii. the possibility to delegate the bonding procedure [16–18]. Surprisingly, no decalcification under the brackets (SBL) has been reported in association with labial indirect bonding procedures in children and adolescents so far [15–18]. Similar findings regarding the lingual literature can be explained by the fact that lingual orthodontic treatment was until now, nearly exclusively used in the treatment of adult patients. Only recently, with the introduction of completely customized lingual appliances (CCLA) has orthodontic treatment for younger patients become increasingly popular [2, 19, 20].

Two statistical tests were applied due the low number of events in one of the cells. The authors decided to compare the results of both tests and make sure that the results were not different in terms of significance. Both tests showed a statistically significant result.

As shown in this study the application of an additional bonding agent can reduce the decalcification risk on the lingual surfaces. ExciTE® F DSC may have had this effect due to: (i) the creation of an additional layer of bonding material with the reduction of porosities, (ii) easier moisture control of the enamel as it is hydrophilic, (iii) fluoride release from the material providing a protective effect [21, 22]. In addition, this bonding material allows for a significantly longer working time and one therefore can check its correct application. The use of a self-cure resin requires a fast application and therefore is technically more demanding. It is important to note that ExciTE® F DSC may accelerate the polymerization of the bonding agent; for this reason the Maximum Cure was applied in the posterior segments first and in the anterior teeth secondly.

Many studies have shown the process of decalcification is fast and usually develops in the first six months of treatment, therefore especially in this period a prophylactic provision is necessary [23–26]. The average treatment time of patients in group A (without ExciTE® F DSC, following the standard bonding procedure) was 20.8 months and was longer than the average treatment time of 18.7 months in group B (with ExciTE® F DSC). The question is then if a longer treatment time of only on average 2.1 months could have an effect on the incidence of decalcification.

Conclusion

Lingual orthodontic treatment of children and adolescents may cause decalcification under the brackets in the upper front teeth when an indirect bonding technique is applied. By adding an extra layer of a dual-cure, hydrophilic resin the incidence of these lesions can be significantly reduced. Because of the minimal severity of the SBLs in these cases, no restorative treatment was necessary.

Clinical significance

The possibility of the correction of misaligned teeth is an important factor for restorative and aesthetic dentistry, in order to achieve a stable and healthy occlusion in the stomatognathic system. The advantages of invisible completely customized lingual appliances with reduced risk of damage to the teeth has been established and is forming an essential part of dentistry in the future.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Medical Faculty of the Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany (No. 1189–2011). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants for data analysis and publication of the accompanying images.