A randomized clinical trial on the sealing of occlusal carious lesions: 3-4-year results.

This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy of sealing occlusal carious lesions in permanent teeth. The sample consisted of 54 occlusal carious lesions in permanent molars and premolars of 49 patients aged 8-43 years (median: 19 years). The inclusion criteria comprised the presence of a cavity with no access allowing biofilm control. The maximum depth of the lesion was the middle third of the dentin thickness, as assessed by bitewing radiography. The teeth were randomly assigned to sealant treatment (n = 28) or restorative treatment (n = 26). Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed after 1 year and after 3-4 years. The outcomes depended on the clinical performance of the sealant/restoration and the control of caries progression observed radiographically. Survival analysis was performed to assess success rates. Over the 3-4 years of monitoring, 2 sealants were totally lost, 1 needed repair, and 1 showed caries progression, totaling 4 failures in the sealant group. In the restoration group, 1 failure was observed (in need of repair). The success rates were 76% and 94% in the sealant and the restoration groups, respectively (p > 0.05). The sealing of occlusal carious lesions in permanent teeth succeeded in controlling caries over a 3-4-year period. However, sealed carious lesions require patient compliance in attending regular follow-ups to control the occurrence of clinical failures of the sealants.

A randomized clinical trial on the sealing of occlusal carious lesions: 3-4-year results

Abstract This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy of sealing occlusal carious lesions in permanent teeth. The sample consisted of 54 occlusal carious lesions in permanent molars and premolars of 49 patients aged 8–43 years (median: 19 years). The inclusion criteria comprised the presence of a cavity with no access allowing biofilm control. The maximum depth of the lesion was the middle third of the dentin thickness, as assessed by bitewing radiography. The teeth were randomly assigned to sealant treatment (n = 28) or restorative treatment (n = 26). Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed after 1 year and after 3–4 years. The outcomes depended on the clinical performance of the sealant/restoration and the control of caries progression observed radiographically. Survival analysis was performed to assess success rates. Over the 3-4 years of monitoring, 2 sealants were totally lost, 1 needed repair, and 1 showed caries progression, totaling 4 failures in the sealant group. In the restoration group, 1 failure was observed (in need of repair). The success rates were 76% and 94% in the sealant and the restoration groups, respectively (p > 0.05). The sealing of occlusal carious lesions in permanent teeth succeeded in controlling caries over a 3–4-year period. However, sealed carious lesions require patient compliance in attending regular follow-ups to control the occurrence of clinical failures of the sealants.

Effect of over-the-counter fluoridated products regimens on root caries inhibition.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fluoridated dentifrice (FD) and mouthwash (FM) under different treatment regimens on root caries (RC) inhibition. METHODS: Dual-species biofilms formed by Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei were grown on the surface of bovine root dentine slabs which were exposed during 3 consecutive days to one of the following treatments: T1-distilled and deionized water 3×/day; T2-FD (1450ppmF) 2×/day; T3-FD 2×/day+FM (226ppmF) 1×/day; T4-FD 3×/day. Viable microorganisms counts were performed after 4 days of biofilm formation. Percentage of surface microhardness change (%SMC), lesion depth (LD; µm), integrated mineral loss (IML; vol%×µm) and the percentages of change (Δ%) in the ratio of fluorapatite (FAp/amide) and hydroxiapatite (HAp/amide) were calculated. RESULTS: Minor changes were found on microbial counts in response to different treatments (p<0.05). %SMC in T4 was statistically lower compared with T2, but with no significant difference compared with T3. LD of slabs treated with T4 was statistically lower compared with T2 and T3, which were not significantly different between them. No significant differences were found for IML, FAp and HAp among the fluoridated treatments (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of FD 3×/day may be more effective than the use of FD 2×/day or the tested association between FD and FM on RC inhibition.