Correlation between caries risk factors and caries development in a group of preschool children

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease, thus the clinical outcome varies depending on which factor, or combination of factors, is promoinent in a particular individual. Thus it is wise to target preventive programmes to those group who are classified as high caries risk subjects to minimize cost and man power. In this study we tried to highlight on the most accurate factor [s] which can be used as indicators for future caries. Among 43 children, only 34 children of both sexes completed the study, with main age 56 +/- 5.4 months. For each child complete dental examination including dmfs and oral hygiene index were taken. Diet history analysis was also taken. Salivary Streptococcus Mutans, lactobacilli as well as rate, buffering and viscosity of saliva were also meassured. This was followed by complete dental treatment [if needed] and a preventive dental programme. After one year follow up, it was found that the most effective caries risk indicators were Streptococcus Mutans, number of food snakes per day, past and present caries experience and the younger the child with caries, the higher the risk for development of caries

Clinical evaluation of three different materials used as pit and fissure sealants

Fissure sealant is a well established comonent in prevention of dental caries of the occlusal surface in the newly erupted molars. The purpose of the present study was evaluate the retention and caries-preventive effect of a glass ionomer cement [Vitremer], a flowable compomere [Dyract Flow] and a flowable composite [Tetric Flow]. 160 first molars of 40 children aged 6-8 years with mean age 7.25 +/- 0.4 years of both sexes completed this study. Their lower and upper first molars had been newly erupted. They were previously classified as a high caries risk group as they had dmfs not less than 4 surfaces. They were divided into 4 equal groups. 10 children in each group had only one type of a sealant. The other 10 children were the control group. All children and their parent were educated how to use oral hygiene methods as well as proper diet to control caries. It was found that Tetric flow had the best retention followed by Vitremer and finally Dyract Flow had the least retention. While for caries development, control group showed at the end of the study 34 sound molar, Dyract flow group had 36 sound molar, Vitremer group had 38 sound molar while Tetric Flow had 39 sound molar. It was concluded that flowable composite is superior in its use as a fissure sealant followed by glass ionomer cement and finally compomer is not that good as a fissure sealant material