Impact of biannual treatment with fluoride varnish on tooth-surface-level caries progression in children aged 1–3 years
A very interesting conclusion to this study MJ
Available online 22 July 2017
Abstract
Objective
This
study describes caries progression at tooth-surface level in children
from 1-3 years of age and the impact of biannual treatment with fluoride
varnish.
Methods
Children who
participated in a cluster-randomized controlled trial and had shown
signs of dental caries were included in this study (n = 801).
International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was used to
classify dental caries. The present study compared children receiving a
standard yearly intervention to children receiving the same standard
preventive intervention supplemented with an application of fluoride
varnish every half year.
Results
The
maxillary incisors were the first teeth to develop cavitation (ICDAS
3–6) and also mostly affected. Further analyses focusing on maxillary
incisors buccal surfaces showed that sound surfaces had least
progression and that progression to extensive decay was more common in
teeth that had exhibited moderate decay. A summarizing progression index
(PI) was calculated for the buccal surfaces of the maxillary incisors.
Between 1 and 2 years of age PI was 26% and between 2 and 3 years of age
PI was 21%. The progression on buccal incisors and on occlusal first
primary molars did not differ between intervention groups (p ≤ 0,05).
Conclusion
No
impact on caries progression for biannual treatment with fluoride
varnish was found. Clinical significance: Using fluoride varnish as a
complement to standard intervention in toddlers did not add in the
prevention of dental caries or its progression. The education of parents
in the use fluoride toothpaste as they start brushing the teeth of
their children is essential.
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