Factors Associated with Longitudinal Changes in the Caries Activity Profile of Children.

Purpose: To evaluate the factors associated with longitudinal changes in the caries activity profile of high caries risk children.
Methods: The sample consisted of clinical records of children who had undergone dental care in a public setting during a one-year period. Patients with active carious lesions (non-cavitated and/or cavitated) at the initial examination and who completed treatment were considered for the analysis. A caries-controlled profile was set as the main outcome based on arresting active carious lesions. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the association of patient- and treatment-related factors with the outcome ( P <0.05).
Results: The analysis included 130 caries-active children (7.8±2.4 [standard deviation - SD] years), with a mean missing and filled teeth index score of 8.3±4.4 SD. Patients with lower caries experience (prevalence ratio [PR]=0.93; 95 percent confidence interval [95% CI]=0.87 to 0.99) who received more appointments focused on oral health promotion based on dietary and oral hygiene instructions (PR=1.28; 95% CI= 1.03 to 1.58) had a greater rate of moving to caries-controlled status. The number of invasive treatments was not associated with a shift from caries-active to caries-controlled status (PR=0.98; 95% CI=0.87 to 1.11).
Conclusion: A preventive regimen focused on dental and diet guidance may play an important role in arresting active carious lesions in high caries risk children.

Prevalence of defective restorations and factors associated with re-intervention in primary teeth: A retrospective university-based study.

AIM: This retrospective study investigated the prevalence of defective restorations in a public dental service and factors associated with re-intervention in primary teeth. DESIGN: The sample consisted of all clinical records (census) of children presenting restorations in primary teeth, who had undergone dental treatment in a public set during 1-year period. For analysis, only restorations presenting defects related to esthetic, functional, or biological reasons at first clinical examination were included. The outcome 'Success' was set when the restoration received no treatment (monitored), refurbishing, sealing of margins, or was repaired. Otherwise, 'Failure' was set whenever the restoration was either replaced or if another treatment affecting the restoration was necessary (endodontic treatment or tooth extraction). Poisson regression model was used to assess the prevalence of patient- and tooth-related factors that may influence the re-intervention decision (repair or replacement). RESULTS: From a total of 302 restorations placed in 114 children, 37.7% presented some type of defect. Restorations with recurrent caries were more frequently present in caries-active patients (P = 0.03) and were frequently replaced (95% CI, 1.05-3.22, RR = 1.84, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Presence of recurrent caries influences the re-intervention decision, leading to restoration replacement in most cases.