Abstract
Objectives
To assess how to control, detect, and treat secondary caries. This review serves to inform a joint ORCA/EFCD consensus process.
Methods
Systematic and non-systematic reviews were performed or consulted and narratively synthesized.
Results
Secondary
(or recurrent) caries is defined as a lesion associated with
restorations or sealants. While the restorative material itself has some
influence on secondary caries, further factors like the presence and
size of restoration gaps, patients’ caries risk, and the placing
dentist’s experience seem more relevant. Current detection methods for
secondary caries are only sparsely validated and likely prone for the
risk of over-detection. In many patients, it might be prudent to
prioritize specific detection methods to avoid invasive overtreatment.
Detected secondary caries can be managed either by repair of the
defective part of the restoration or its complete replacement.
Conclusions
There is sparse data towards the nature of secondary caries and how to control, detect, and treat it.
Clinical significance
Despite
often claimed to be a major complication of restorations, there is
surprisingly little data on secondary caries. Longer-term studies may be
needed to identify differences in secondary caries risk between
materials and to identify characteristic features of progressive lesions
(i.e., those in need of treatment).
Comments