Active Management of Incipient Caries and Choice of Materials

Abstract

Evidence of the effects of various sealant and fluoride materials in stabilizing or reversing incipient caries lesions has been reported. However, a knowledge gap still exists as to what material yields the best results. Thus, the objective of this study was to find the most effective material by comparing the effects of a resin-based sealant (sealant), a fluoride-containing sealant (F-sealant), a fluoride varnish (F-varnish), and a glass-ionomer cement (GIC) on deremineralization of incipient artificial caries and adjacent intact enamel on proximal surfaces of posterior teeth. The 4 materials were applied to lesions created on proximal surfaces. Areas of intact enamel 0.5 mm adjacent to the materials were also studied. The specimens were thermo- and pH-cycled. Cross-sections of the two areas were analyzed under polarized light microscope and quantified with Image-Pro plus®. The most effective material in reducing the carious areas was GIC, followed by F-varnish, F-sealant, and sealants. GIC followed by F-varnish was most efficient in inhibiting new caries lesions 0.5 mm adjacent to the materials.