Influence of Isolation Technique on the Survival of Resin-Modified Glass-Ionomer Restorations in Primary Molars: A 9-Months Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the survival of occlusal and occlusal-proximal restorations performed with resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) in deciduous molars using rubber dam and cotton rolls isolation. Material and Methods: Ninety-two patients were included and 200 deciduous molars with cavitated occlusal or occlusoproximal dentin caries lesions were randomized into two groups: cotton rolls (n = 100) and rubber dam (n = 100) and RMGIC restorations were placed. At baseline and in the follow-up visit, presence, severity and activity of caries lesions were registered. Two independent, blinded examiners evaluated the treated teeth clinically using the USPHS criteria and radiographically after 9 months. Descriptive analysis, survival curve (log-rank test) and Cox regression were performed to assess risk factors related to failure. Results: Out of the 179 teeth (92 cotton rolls group and 87 rubber dam group) evaluated at 9-month follow-up period. No lesion progression was observed radiographically. The overall treatment success rate was 85.47% (83.47% for cotton rolls and 87.35 rubber dam group). No significant difference between isolation methods was observed in the log-rank test (p = 0.16). Cox regression showed no risk factors related to failure. Conclusion: No difference was found in the survival of occlusal and occlusal-proximal restorations performed with RMGIC in deciduous molars using a rubber dam and cotton rolls isolation after a 9-month follow-up period.

Triple-blinded randomized clinical trial comparing efficacy and tooth sensitivity of in-office and at-home bleaching techniques

Abstract Objective Our study aims to compare the efficacy and tooth sensitivity following in-office (35% hydrogen peroxide) or at-home (10% carbamide peroxide) bleaching treatments both preceded by 2% potassium nitrate (2%KF) desensitizing gel. Methodology 130 volunteers were randomly allocated to a) in-office bleaching and a placebo at-home protocol; or b) in-office placebo and at-home bleaching treatment. 2% KF was applied for 10 min before both treatments. Objective color evaluation was performed (spectrophotometer CIEL*a*b* system and CIEDE2000) to calculate the color change (ΔE00). Subjective evaluation was performed using the VITA classical shade guide followed by shade variation (ΔSGU) at the beginning and end of bleaching treatment and 2 weeks post-bleaching. Tooth sensitivity was daily recorded using a Likert scale varying from 1 (no sensitivity) to 5 (severe sensitivity). Analysis was carried out using non-parametric tests. Results Regarding the color change, at-home bleaching resulted in significant color improvement compared to in-office treatment for the parameters Δb* (p=0.003) and Δa* (p=0.014). Two weeks post-bleaching, the at-home treatment resulted in significant color improvement compared to in-office treatment for the parameters Δb* (p=0.037) and ΔE00 (p=0.033). No differences were observed in either ΔSGU parameters. Concerning sensitivity, patients treated with in-office bleaching reported more tooth sensitivity than the at-home group only on the first day after bleaching started, without significant differences in the other periods evaluated (p>0.05). Conclusions At-home and in-office bleaching, preceded by a desensitizing agent, were effective for vital teeth bleaching and 10% carbamide peroxide produced a higher whitening effect than 35% hydrogen peroxide in the short time evaluation. Tooth sensitivity rates were similar for the two techniques tested.