Use of diagnodent;â ;for diagnosis of non-cavitated occlusal dentin caries

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a laser fluorescence device for detection of occlusal caries in permanent teeth. One hundred and ninety-nine non-cavitated teeth from 26 patients aged 10 to 13 years were selected. After dental prophylaxis, two previously calibrated dentists examined the teeth. Visual inspection, radiographic examination and laser measurements were performed under standardized conditions. The validation method was cavity preparation with a small cone-shaped diamond bur, when the two examiners agreed about the presence of dentin caries. It was found that the laser detection method produced high values of sensitivity (0.93) and specificity (0.75) and a moderate positive predictive value (0.63). The laser device showed the lowest value of likelihood ratio (3.68). Kappa coefficient showed good repeatability for all methods. Although the laser device had an acceptable performance, this equipment should be used as an adjunct method to visual inspection to avoid false positive results

Use of diagnodent® for diagnosis of non-cavitated occlusal dentin caries

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a laser fluorescence device for detection of occlusal caries in permanent teeth. One hundred and ninety-nine non-cavitated teeth from 26 patients aged 10 to 13 years were selected. After dental prophylaxis, two previously calibrated dentists examined the teeth. Visual inspection, radiographic examination and laser measurements were performed under standardized conditions. The validation method was cavity preparation with a small cone-shaped diamond bur, when the two examiners agreed about the presence of dentin caries. It was found that the laser detection method produced high values of sensitivity (0.93) and specificity (0.75) and a moderate positive predictive value (0.63). The laser device showed the lowest value of likelihood ratio (3.68). Kappa coefficient showed good repeatability for all methods. Although the laser device had an acceptable performance, this equipment should be used as an adjunct method to visual inspection to avoid false positive results

Cost-effectiveness of selective caries removal versus stepwise excavation for deep caries lesions

Abstract A multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of two treatments for deep caries lesions in permanent molars - selective caries removal (SCR) to soft dentin with restoration in a single visit, and stepwise excavation (SW) - regarding pulp vitality for a 5-year follow-up period. The present study aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of these treatments. Treatments were conducted in two Brazilian cities (Brasília and Porto Alegre). At baseline, 299 permanent molars (233 patients) were treated and 229 teeth (174 patients) were evaluated after 5 years. The discounted cash flow method was adopted. The total cost of each treatment was calculated, and the failure cost (endodontic treatment + restoration) was added to the final cost, according to the 5-year failure rates of each therapy (20% for SCR and 44% for SW). A public health service unit composed of three dentists in 4-hour work shifts was used to calculate the monetary value of the treatments, assuming a total of 528 treatments/month. Considering the 229 teeth evaluated after 5 years (115 SCR and 114 SW), SCR provided savings of 43% (amalgam) and 41% (resin composite) per treatment, compared to SW. The SCR technique provides benefits for public finances (direct economy) and for public health services (increase in the number of treatments performed). Considering that maximizing profit and reducing costs are powerful motivating factors for adopting a certain treatment, this study provides data to better support the decision-making process, regarding the management of deep caries lesions in permanent molars

Partial caries removal in deep lesions: 19-30 months follow-up study

The aim of this multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of partial caries removal followed by restoration in a single session (PDR) for deep caries lesions in Brazil (Porto Alegre and Brasilia) after 2-year follow-up. Inclusion criteria: patients with ≥ six years old presenting permanent molars with primary deep lesion, absence of periapical alterations, pulp sensitivity, absence of spontaneous pain and negative percussion test. The subjects were randomly assigned to test group - PDR, or control group - stepwise excavation (SW). SW consisted of partial removal of carious dentine, indirect pulp capping with calcium hydroxide cement, temporary filling, cavity re-opening after 60 days, removal of the remaining soft carious dentine and filling. Each group was divided according to the filling material: amalgam or resin. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed in annual basis. The outcomes were considered as pulp sensibility to cold test and absence of periapical alterations. There were performed 299 treatments, 153 PDR and 146 SW. There were no differences between the groups regarding baseline characteristics. After 2 years of follow-up, 204 restorations were evaluated and the therapy survival rates of PDR and SW were 95.45% and 80.85%, respectively (p=0.001). Reasons for failure: pulpitis, osteitis, hyperemia, necrosis, extraction and restoration fracture.. None variable was significantly associated with the outcome. From these results, it is possible to conclude that the PDR is a more successful treatment than SW. (Registration number at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00887952)