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

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.

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.

Is lentulospiral the best option for root canal filling of endodontically treated primary teeth? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the quality of root canal filling of primary teeth using lentulospiral in comparison with other instruments. METHODS: Electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, TRIP, LILACS, and CENTRAL Cochrane) were searched up to Jan 2021. Clinical trials that compared the quality of root canal filling of endodontically treated primary teeth using lentulospiral with other instruments were included. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. Two outcomes were considered: inadequate root canal filling (under or overfilling) and presence of voids. Conventional meta-analyses were performed using a fixed-effects model. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan5.3 at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Of the 68 potentially relevant studies, eight were selected for full-text analysis, and three were included in the systematic review. The use of syringes resulted in a lower risk of presence of voids in the root canal filling compared to the use of lentulospiral (RR: 0.62 95% CI 0.45; 0.85). However, there was no difference between lentulospiral and bi-directional spiral (RR:1.17 95% CI: 0.90; 1.51). There was no significant difference between lentulospiral and syringes (RR: 1.37 95% CI 1.00; 1.87) considering the length of the root canal filling. The use of bi-directional spiral had a higher risk of inadequate root canal filling compared to the use of lentulospiral (RR: 1.75 95% CI: 1.12; 2.74). Two studies were at "high", and one study at "unclear" risk of bias in the key domains. CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient scientific evidence showing the superiority of using lentulospiral for the root canal filling in endodontically treated primary teeth. Due to the limited level of evidence, professionals may opt to choose the instrument based on their preferences.