Effect of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish on root caries in a geriatric population: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the effect of Cervitec, a chlorhexidine-thymol varnish, on root caries. Our objective was to determine whether a 3-monthly application of Cervitec over 1 year would limit the progress of existing root caries lesions and reduce the incidence of dental root caries in a group of dentate institutionalized elderly, as a complement to their usual oral hygiene practices. METHODS: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in 68 subjects (34 per group) in two residences in Almería (Spain). Twenty-one subjects with 60 root caries lesions and 25 with 65 lesions, in the Cervitec and placebo groups, respectively, completed the study. Varnishes were applied twice in the first week, 1 month later, and every 3 months until the end of the study. Clinical parameters associated with established lesions were determined at baseline and after 6 and 12 months, as was the incidence of root caries lesions. RESULTS: The clinical evolution of lesions was significantly better in the Cervitec group as opposed to the placebo group in terms of width, height, color, and texture. The increase in root caries was significantly lower (p=0.039) in the Cervitec group. CONCLUSION: According to these results, Cervitec may help to control established root lesions and reduce the incidence of root caries lesion among institutionalized elderly.

Retention of three fissure sealants and a dentin bonding system used as fissure sealant in caries prevention: 12-month follow-up results.

BACKGROUND: Bonding agents could be used as fissure sealants. This study compares the retention three fissure sealants (Delton, Delton Plus and Concise) and a filled dentin bonding system (Optibond Solo). METHODS. Fifty-six children aged 7-8 years received fissure sealants either in the four permanent first molars, in the four deciduous second molars, or in all eight of these teeth. Every child received a different sealing material in each quadrant on a random basis. Clinical evaluation at 12 months was performed by a single blind examiner, and the retention was classified as either a success (total retention) or a failure (partial retention or not present). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences among the four materials in permanent maxillary molars or deciduous molars. In permanent mandibular molars, Optibond Solo showed a lower percentage of retention (40.9%), significantly different (p=0.002) to that of Delton (89.5%), Delton Plus (87.5%) and Concise (76.5%). CONCLUSION: One bottle dentin bonding system used as a sealant does not improve the retention of conventional fissure sealants. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Because of the scarcity of studies on the use of dental adhesives as sealants, further studies are warranted for the final support of that conclusion.

Effectiveness of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish in preventing caries lesions in primary molars.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish on the prevention of caries lesions in primary molars among schoolchildren ages 6 to 7 in relation to their previous experience with caries. METHODS: Two groups of schoolchildren of lower-middle socioeconomic level were followed up in a clinical trial: one group of 86 children, treated with a chlorhexidine-thymol varnish (Cervitec) and another group of 95 children who served as controls. The varnish was reapplied every 3 months, and the caries lesion increments were compared at 24 months. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between these 2 groups in the increment in decayed and filled primary molars. The children in the varnish group with no decayed or filled primary teeth at baseline showed a significantly lower (P<.05) incidence of caries lesions in primary molars (at 24 months) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Chlorhexidine-thymol varnish can be said to reduce caries lesions in the primary molars of schoolchildren ages 6 to 7 with no previous caries lesion experience.

Caries incidence in permanent first molars after discontinuation of a school-based chlorhexidine-thymol varnish program.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the cessation for 3 years of a 24-month program of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish applications would affect caries incidence in the first permanent molars of a population of schoolchildren of middle and lower-middle socioeconomic level. METHODS: Two groups of 6-7-year-old schoolchildren, randomized by school-class, were followed up in a clinical trial. One group received applications of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish every 3 months and the other group acted as controls. The program ended after 24 months and its effects were evaluated. Three years later, 55.5% of the schoolchildren were re-examined and the caries increments were documented. RESULTS: At the end of the 24-month program, the treated children had significantly fewer decayed and filled surfaces in permanent molars (lower DFS index) versus the controls. At 3 years after the discontinuation of the program, this difference had disappeared; there were no differences in the incidence of decayed, missing and filled surfaces (DMFS) index in permanent molars between the treated children and the controls. CONCLUSION: The cessation for 3 years of a 3-month program of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish applications resulted in a nonsignificant increase in the prevalence of dental caries in the permanent first molar.

Effectiveness of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish for caries reduction in permanent first molars of 6-7-year-old children: 24-month clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of chlorhexidine varnish on the prevention of caries in permanent first molars. METHODS: Two groups of 6-7-year-old school children were followed up in a clinical trial, a group of 86 children whose teeth were treated with a chlorhexidine-thymol varnish (Cervitec) and a control group of 95 children. The varnish was reapplied every 3 months and the caries increments were compared at 24 months. RESULTS: The DFS (decayed and filled surfaces in permanent first molars) increment in the control group (mean = 1.85; SD = 2.27) was higher than in the test group (mean = 0.95; SD = 1.38), resulting in a 48.6% caries reduction. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Chlorhexidine-thymol varnish is effective in preventing caries in permanent first molars.