Prevalence of white spot lesions and risk factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and persistence of white spot lesions (WSLs) among patients treated with traditional braces. METHODS: A group of 434 consecutively finished cases who had pretreatment and post-treatment digital photographs taken were included in this study. Each set of photographs was evaluated by two investigators to determine prepandemic and postlockdown WSLs, in addition to changes in oral hygiene (OH) and other risk factors. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the development of WSLs pre-COVID-19 lockdown (PRL) versus post-COVID-19 lockdown (POL) (P < 0.001). The overall prevalence for the development of WSLs increased to 52.8% POL. For patients with good pretreatment OH, the risk of developing WSLs POL (42.0%) was two times greater than the rate in PRL (20.1%). For patients whose OH worsened during treatment, 81.2% of POL patients developed WSL compared with 69.6% of PRL patients. The incidence of WSLs was statistically greater in the maxillary anterior region POL than PRL, whereas the incidence in the mandibular anterior region did not reach statistical significance. The distribution of WSLs was greater POL for each tooth irrespective of the arch. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of visible WSLs increased from 29.5% to 52.8%. Patients whose hygiene worsened during orthodontic treatment are at an increased risk of developing WSLs.

A Snapshot of the Prevalence of Molar Incisor Hypomineralization and Fluorosis in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Purpose: The prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralization in the United States is unknown. The condition is defined via the presence of demarcated opacities of varying color, porous enamel, advanced susceptibility or progression of dental caries, and sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in Pittsburgh, Pa., USA. Methods: A total of 104 patients (64 females and 40 males ranging in age from seven to 32 years) from the University of Pittsburgh were screened for the clinical signs of MIH between May 15 and July 31, 2019. MIH was defined according to international guidelines. Results: A total of 9.6 percent of patients screened presented with the clinical signs of MIH; 15.4 percent of patients screened presented with clinical signs aligning with dental fluorosis. Conclusions: Molar incisor hypomineralization is prevalent and clinically relevant in Pittsburgh. American clinicians should start recording the diagnoses of MIH to facilitate establishing national prevalence data and increase knowledge and treatment.