Dimensions of Occlusoproximal Cavitated Carious Lesions as a Cut-Off Point for Restorative Decision in Primary Teeth

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate whether the dimensions of cavitated dentin carious lesions on the occlusoproximal surfaces of primary teeth could predict the location of cement-enamel junction (CEJ). Material and Methods: Two hundred extracted primary molars were selected and digital images were obtained. The teeth were set in arch models for clinical measurement. The cervical-occlusal (CO) and buccal-lingual/palatal (BL/P) cavities' dimensions were obtained by digital (Image J) and clinical (periodontal millimeter probe) assessments. The cervical margin location was also determined. The thresholds (cut-off points) were determined by sensitivity, specificity and the areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves (Az) for the two methods. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to investigate the correlation between clinical and digital measurements. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the dimensions and cervical margin location. Results: There was a strong correlation between methods for all measurements (CO: r=0.90, VL/P: r=0.95). Cavities with BL/P distance higher than 4.5 mm and CO dimension higher than 3.5 mm had a lower chance of presenting the cervical limit above the CEJ, irrespective of the measurement method. Conclusion: CO and VL/P dimensions could be used to predict the CEJ location and, ultimately, as a clinical parameter for restorative decision-making.

Influence of the FDI criteria in the restorations' evaluation and treatment decision in primary molars / Influência dos critérios da FDI na avaliação de restaurações e decisão de tratamento em molares decíduos

Objective: This study investigated the impact of FDI criteria for evaluating restorations on examiners' decision-making compared with their previous personal judgment in primary teeth. Secondly, the possible factors related to changes when using the criteria, including the examiners' experience were explored. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study in a dental office setting was conducted selecting 27 resin composite restorations placed in primary molars in 11 children. Examinations of the restorations were performed by five undergraduate and five graduate dental students. First, the evaluations were performed based on personal judgment, and 2 weeks later, with FDI criteria. All examiners underwent training to use the FDI criteria after the first evaluation. The consensus of two benchmark examiners was considered to be the reference standard. Initially, a descriptive analysis was performed. Multiple Poisson regressions analyses were used to identify possible associated factors with outcomes - to be less or more invasive based on the FDI criteria than personal judgment. Results: The use of the FDI criteria changed the examiners' decisions in approximately 15% of the cases. Irrespective of examiners' experience, there was a trend of false results (compared to the reference examiners) when a change in the treatment decision was registered by using the FDI criteria. Examiners chose a less invasive option when assessing multi surface restorations with FDI criteria (PR=2.04, 95%CI=1.03-4.05; p=0.04). Examiners who spent more time for evaluation with FDI criteria were more invasive (PR=1.001, 95%CI=1.0001-1.002; p=0.03). Students were more invasive with the FDI criteria when examined children with higher dmf-t (PR=1.16, 95%CI=1.01-1.32; p=0.03). Conclusion: The use of the FDI criteria negatively influenced the restorations' evaluation and treatment decision in primary molars by undergraduate and graduate students.(AU)

Objetivo: Este estudo investigou o impacto dos critérios da FDI para avaliar restaurações na tomade de decisão feita pelos examinadores em comparação ao seu julgamento pessoal prévio em dentes decíduos. Secundariamente, foram explorados os possíveis fatores relacionados com mudanças causadas pelo uso dos critérios, incluindo a experiência dos examinadores. Material e Métodos: Um estudo transversal em ambiente de consultório odontológico foi conduzido selecionando 27 restaurações de resina composta realizado em molares decíduos em 11 crianças. As avaliações das restaurações foram realizadas por cinco estudantes de Graduação e cinco de Pós-graduação em Odontologia. As avaliações foram realizadas com base no julgamento pessoal e, duas semanas depois, com os critérios da FDI. Todos os examinadores foram treinados para utilizar os critérios da FDI após a primeira avaliação. O consenso de dois examinadores "padrão-ouro" foi considerado o padrão de referência. Inicialmente, uma análise descritiva foi realizada. Análises de regressão múltipla de Poisson foram utilizadas para identificar possíveis fatores associados com os desfechos ­ ser mais ou menos invasivo com o uso dos critérios da FDI em relação ao julgamento pessoal. Resultados: A utilização dos critérios do FDI alterou as decisões dos examinadores em aproximadamente 15% dos casos. Independente da experiência dos examinadores, houve uma tendência de resultados falsos (em comparação com os examinadores de referência) quando uma mudança na decisão de tratamento foi registrada usando os critérios da FDI. Os examinadores escolheram uma opção menos invasiva quando avaliaram restaurações envolvendo múltiplas superfícies com os critérios da FDI (RP = 2,04, IC 95% = 1,03-4,05; p = 0,04). Os examinadores que levaram mais tempo para avaliação das restaurações foram mais invasivos com o uso dos critérios da FDI (RP = 1,001, IC 95% = 1,0001-1,0002; p = 0,03). Os alunos foram mais invasivos com o uso dos critérios da FDI quando examinaram crianças com maior experiência de cárie (RP = 1,16, IC 95% = 1,01-1,32; p = 0,03). Conclusão: O uso dos critérios da FDI influenciou negativamente a avaliação das restaurações e decisão de tratamento em dentes decíduos realizada por estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação. (AU)

Shortening of etching time of the dentin in primary teeth restorations: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of shortening of etching time for dentin on the restoration survival after selective carious tissue removal in primary molars. This two-arm randomized clinical trial included sixty-two subjects (5-8 year-old) and 100 primary molars presenting moderate dentin carious lesions on occlusal surface. The sample was randomly assigned into groups previously to adhesive application (Adper Single Bond 2; 3M ESPE): etching time recommended by manufacturer (15 s) or reduced (7 s). Resin composite (Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative; 3M ESPE) was inserted in a single increment for all restorations. Restorations were evaluated at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months using FDI criteria. Survival estimates for restorations' longevity were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate Cox regression analysis with shared frailty was used to assess the factors associated with failures (p < 0.05). The etching time did not influence the restorations' survival (HR 0.35 95%CI 0.11-1.12; p = 0.06). Mean estimated time of survival was 17.6 months (95%CI, 17.2-17.9). The survival rates at the 18-month follow-up were 75.7% and 91.4% (AFR: 16.9% and 5.7%) when primary dentin was acid etched for 15 and 7 s, respectively (log-rank p = 0.06). In conclusion, the etching time for dentin did not influence the clinical behavior of adhesives restorations. However, there was a tendency for better clinical outcome when using etching time of 7 s.

Choosing the Criteria for Clinical Evaluation of Composite Restorations: An Analysis of Impact on Reliabilty and Treatment Decision

Abstract Objective: To assess the reproducibility of two clinical criteria for the evaluation of restorations in primary teeth and the impact on treatment decision. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed selecting 71 resin-based composite restorations placed in primary molars of children who had sought dental treatment at a dental school. Two trained examiners evaluated independently the restorations using modified FDI and USPHS criteria. All restorations were assessed separately with each system in random order to avoid memory bias. Kappa statistics were used to determine inter-examiner reliability considering each parameter of both criteria and score final about treatment decision. McNemar test was used to compare the treatment decision with two criteria. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: Kappa values ranged from 0.28 to 0.93 with USPHS and 0.28 to 0.88 with FDI, considering each parameter separately. Inter-examiner agreement for treatment decision was excellent for both criteria (Kappa: 0.85-0.90). For clinical decision-making, no difference between criteria was found, irrespective of examiner. Conclusion: Low inter-examiner agreement for evaluation of each parameter of USPHS and FDI criteria does not reflect on reproducibility for treatment decision. Both criteria may be suitable for evaluation of composite restorations in primary teeth.