Effectiveness of non-operative approaches in active enamel carious lesions: a retrospective longitudinal study

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of non-invasive and micro-invasive treatments in active enamel carious lesions in high-caries-risk children. Clinical records of children treated in a dental school setting were retrospectively screened for active enamel carious lesions treated non-invasively (topical fluoride applications, oral hygiene instruction, or dietary guidance) or micro-invasively (sealant). The control of active carious lesions was set as the main outcome established by the combination of inactivation and non-progression of the lesions based on Nyvad and ICDAS criteria, respectively. Individual and clinical factors associated with the outcome were analyzed by Poisson regression. The sample consisted of 105 high-caries-risk children with a mean age of 8.3 (± 2.4) years. From a total of 365 active enamel carious lesions, most lesions (84.1%) were active non-cavitated carious lesions (ICDAS scores 1 and 2) and only 15.9% presented localized enamel breakdown (ICDAS score 3). Of these, 72.6% were inactivated and 92.1% did not progress (mean time of 6.5 ± 4.1 months). The prevalence of controlled carious lesions was higher among children older than 6 years (PR:1.43; 95%CI:1.00-2.03; p = 0.04) and in those with better biofilm control (PR:0.99; 95%CI: 0.98-0.99; p = 0.03). Non-operative approaches are effective for controlling active enamel carious lesions. The majority of active enamel carious lesions became inactive and did not progress after treatment. Caries control was associated with older children and better biofilm control.

Caries progression and need for reintervention on occlusal ICDAS 4 lesions after different treatments: a retrospective university-based study / Progressão de cárie e necessidade de reintervenção em lesões oclusais ICDAS 4 após diferentes tratamentos: um estudo retrospectivo de base universitária

Objective: To assess the caries progression and the need for reintervention on occlusal ICDAS 4 lesions after different treatments. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of records of children treated in a public setting who had at least an occlusal ICDAS 4 lesion in primary and/or permanent molars. The radiographic images of ICDAS 4 lesions at the first and last appointments were classified as absence of radiolucency, radiolucent image at the enamel­dentin junction, at the outer half or inner of the dentin. The need for retreatment after different treatments (non-invasive - topical fluoride applications, oral hygiene instructions and dietary guidance, micro-invasive - resin-based sealant, or invasive - restoration) was assessed by reviewing clinical and radiographic records. The need for retreatment was defined as any complication requiring mending (e.g., caries progression, total loss of sealant, or restoration failure). The Poisson regression model was used to investigate the association between individual and tooth-related variables and the outcome. Results: Among the 111 lesions in 81 patients, most (73.0%) lesions were in primary molars. Most lesions (52.3%) did not exhibit radiolucency, whereas 29.7% had radiolucency at the outer half of the dentin. The mean follow-up was 18.8 ± 6.5 months. After follow-up, 82.9% of the lesions did not require retreatment. The prevalence of ICDAS 4 lesions that did not need retreatment was higher among lesions with radiolucency at dentin (p=0.01). Conclusion: Most occlusal ICDAS 4 lesions did not require reintervention, especially those exhibiting radiolucency in the outer half of the dentin (AU)

Objetivo: Avaliar a progressão de cárie e a necessidade de reintervenção em lesões oclusais ICDAS 4 após diferentes tratamentos. Material e Métodos: A amostra consistiu de prontuários de crianças atendidas em ambiente público que apresentavam pelo menos uma lesão oclusal ICDAS 4 em molares decíduos e/ou permanentes. As imagens radiográficas de lesões ICDAS 4 na primeira e última consultas foram classificadas como ausência de radiolucidez, imagem radiolúcida na junção esmalte-dentina, em metade externa ou interna da dentina. A necessidade de retratamento após diferentes tratamentos (não invasivo ­ aplicações tópicas de flúor, orientações de higiene e dieta, micro-invasivo ­ selante resinoso ou invasivo ­ restauração) foi avaliada por meio da revisão dos registros clínicos e radiográficos. A necessidade de retratamento foi definida como qualquer complicação que requer intervenção (por exemplo, progressão da lesão, perda total do selante ou falha na restauração). O modelo de regressão de Poisson foi utilizado para investigar a associação entre as variáveis individuais e dentárias e o desfecho. Resultados: Entre as 111 lesões em 81 pacientes, a maioria (73,0%) das lesões eram em molares decíduos. A maioria das lesões (52,3%) não exibiu radiolucidez, enquanto que 29,7% apresentaram radiolucidez em metade externa de dentina. O tempo de acompanhamento médio foi de 18,8 ± 6,5 meses. Após o acompanhamento, 82,9% das lesões não necessitaram de retratamento. A prevalência de lesões ICDAS 4 que não necessitaram de retratamento foi maior entre as lesões com radiolucidez em dentina (p=0,01). Conclusão: A maioria das lesões oclusais ICDAS 4 não requerem reintervenção, especialmente aquelas que exibem radiolucidez em metade externa da dentina.(AU)

Does use of silane-containing universal adhesive eliminate the need for silane application in direct composite repair?

Abstract This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of a silane-containing universal adhesive used with or without a silane agent on the repair bond strength between aged and new composites. Forty nanohybrid composite resin blocks were stored in distilled water for 14 d and thermo-cycled. Sandpaper ground, etched, and rinsed speciments were randomly assigned into four experimental groups: silane + two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system, two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system, silane + silane-containing universal adhesive system, and silane-containing universal adhesive system. Blocks were repaired using the same composite. After 24 h of water storage, the blocks were sectioned and bonded sticks were submitted to microtensile testing. Ten unaged, non-repaired composite blocks were used as a reference group to evaluate the cohesive strength of the composite. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests were used to analyze average µTBS. One-way ANOVA and Dunnet post-hoc tests were used to compare the cohesive strength values and bond strength obtained in the repaired groups (α = 0.05). The µTBS values were higher for the silane-containing universal adhesive compared to the two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system (p = 0.002). Silane application improved the repair bond strength (p = 0.03). The repair bond strength ranged from 39.3 to 65.8% of the cohesive strength of the reference group. Using universal silane-containing adhesive improved the repair bond strength of composite resin compared to two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive. However, it still required prior application of a silane agent for best direct composite resin repair outcomes.