Do composite restorations in primary molar teeth have a higher survival rate following total or selective caries removal?

Study design A double-blind randomised clinical trial, conducted between June 2009 and June 2011, in a paediatric dental department in a Brazilian dental school.Study selection Children aged 3-8 years, in good general health, with deep carious lesions (caries radiographically located in the inner quarter of dentine) affecting either one or two surfaces in primary molars were eligible for inclusion. Teeth were excluded if clinical or radiographic evidence of pulpal inflammation or necrosis or clinical mobility were observed. Pre-cooperative children were also excluded.Clinical procedures and success criteria Following a coin toss, 120 teeth were randomly assigned to two groups: 55 in the total caries removal (TCR) group and 65 in the selective caries removal (SCR) group. Procedures were carried out by three paediatric dentists under local anaesthesia and restored, using a layering technique, with composite under rubber dam. Restorations were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months, using the US Public Health Service (USPHS) scale, by a single-blinded and calibrated examiner. A Charlie or Delta score, on the USPHS scale, at the margins of the restorations was considered as restoration failure. Gingival bleeding score, type of cavity (one or two surfaces) and presence of caries (active or inactive) were recorded as secondary outcomes; however, presence alone did not constitute restoration failure.Results Average survival rate of restorations across all teeth was 68% after 36 months, with SCR statistically significantly lower at 57% compared to TCR at 81% (p = 0.004). Annual failure rates for SCR and TCR were 17.3% and 6.7%, respectively. Two-surface restorations had lower survival rates (58%) compared to single-surface restorations (87%) (p = 0.02). Type of cavity and gingival bleeding statistically influenced the chance of restoration failure at 36 months.Conclusions Composite restorations placed after SCR in primary molars were found to fail more often compared to those restored after TCR. Two-surface cavities and poor gingival health negatively impacted restoration success.

Dental caries and its association with sociodemographics, erosion, and diet in schoolchildren from southeast Brazil.

PURPOSES: The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of caries in a sample of Brazilian schoolchildren, test associotions between caries, sociodemographics, and erosion, and investigate potential dietary factors common to both conditions. METHODS: Brazilian schoolchildren (13-14 years old) completed a questionnaire to provide dietary information and underwent dental examination. Sociodemographic characteristics were collected using a questionnaire completed by parents/guardians. Caries was assessed using decayed, missing, filled teeth/ surfaces (DMFT/DMFS) indices. Erosion was assessed using a previously validated index. RESULTS: Of 458 schoolchildren, 78% had caries experience. A statistically significantly lower prevalence of caries was observed in children from a higher economic class and whose parents had higher educational levels. Thirty-five percent of children with caries also had erosion, while 32% with a DMFT of 0 had erosion (P = .72). The frequency of consumption of drinks and foods was not statistically significantly associated with caries. The intake of sugared carbonated drinks was statistically significantly associated with erosion (P = .01). The mothers' educational level was the only variable independently associated with caries experience (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries was associated with sociodemographics, but not with erosion. There were no dietary factors identified in common for caries and erosion.

Diet and dental erosion in young people in south-east Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The regular consumption of acidic foods and drinks may be associated with dental erosion, and soft drink consumption appears to be increasing both in developed and developing countries. Dentists are aware that an acidic diet can contribute to the development of erosion; however, there may be confusion within the profession concerning the general health message of eating five portions of fruits and vegetables each day. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate associations between dental erosion and the consumption of acidic foods and beverages in schoolchildren in south-east Brazil. The objective was to gather information, by means of a dietary questionnaire, on frequency of intake and patterns of consumption of acidic foods and drinks in a group of schoolchildren. The hypothesis was that the experience of dental erosion among the study sample was associated with the frequency and pattern of consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices, fruits, and yogurt. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Três Corações, south-east Brazil. A sample of 458 schoolchildren, mean age 13.8 (SD 0.39) years, completed the study. Information about potential dietary risk factors for dental erosion was collected through a questionnaire survey completed by the schoolchildren. For the dental examinations, the subjects were examined for dental erosion in a school room. Associations between dental erosion and the variables under study were investigated through processes of bivariate and multivariate analyses. The statistical significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: Analysis of the questionnaire surveys showed that the frequency of consumption of sugared carbonated drinks was the only variable independently associated with the erosive process, with subjects who had a daily consumption of such drinks having a greater likelihood of having erosion (P = 0.015, odds ratio 1.752, 95% confidence interval 1.116-2.750). CONCLUSIONS: Of all tested factors in this sample of schoolchildren the consumption of sugared carbonated drinks is most associated with dental erosion.

Dental erosion amongst 13- and 14-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of dental erosion in a sample of 13- and 14-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren and to assess the relationship of dental erosion and socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS: A convenience sample of 458 children (190 boys and 268 girls) from 14 schools in Três Corações, south east Brazil, was examined. Socio-demographic data were collected by self-completion questionnaires. RESULTS: Dental erosion was observed in 34.1% of subjects, involving enamel only and showing a symmetrical distribution. The palatal surfaces of the upper incisors were the most commonly affected surfaces. Erosion experience was higher in boys; pupils from Government funded schools; those resident in rural areas and those from the high economic class, but none of these were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: These data are the first to show that in a cohort of 13-14-year old Brazilian schoolchildren, approximately one third of those examined showed mild erosion, requiring clinical preventive counselling. No statistically significant association was observed between erosion, gender and socioeconomic factors.