Comparison of the Effect of Fluoride Varnish, Chlorhexidine Varnish and Casein Phosphopeptide- Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (CPP-ACP) Varnish on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Level: A Six Month Clinical Study

Effect of fluoride varnishes on oral bacteria of preschool children with cavitated and non-cavitated carious lesions: randomized clinical trial

We compare the effect of calcium and phosphate-containing sodium fluoride (NaF) varnishes to conventional NaF varnish on S. mutans and L. fermentum counts. 3-4 years old children were grouped according to their caries status (n = 45 each): caries-free, with non-cavitated and with cavitated lesions. Each group was randomly subdivided (n = 15 each) into: Group 1- 5% NaF, Group 2- 5% NaF with tricalcium phosphate, Group 3- 5% NaF with casein phosphopeptide- amorphous calcium phosphate. Biofilm and saliva were collected to quantify microorganisms at baseline (T1) and 24-months (T2). Differences between groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn-Bonferroni post-test, at 0.0167 α-level. Significant difference was found for percentage of children with detectable biofilm L. fermentum (p = 0.013) at T1 and salivary S. mutans (p = 0.011) at T2. Percentage of children increased from T1 to T2 in Group 2 with salivary S. mutans (p = 0.007), salivary L. fermentum (p = 0.035), and biofilm L. fermentum (p = 0.019) and in Group 3 with salivary L. fermentum (p = 0.035). Bacterial change was not significant in both samples of intervention groups, except increase in salivary S. mutans (p = 0.038) in Group 3. Both calcium- and phosphate-containing NaF varnishes demonstrated similar antibacterial effect on S. mutans and L. fermentum compared to conventional NaF varnish.

Prevalence of Caries According to the ICDAS II in Children from 6 and 12 Years of Age from Southern Ecuadorian Regions

In Ecuador, national data on dental caries are scarce and the detection of incipient enamel lesions has been omitted. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of caries in school children aged 6 and 12 years of both sexes, belonging to urban and rural areas of three provinces of the country, using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II). The sample consisted of 665 children from public schools, examined according to ICDASII. Caries prevalence and caries index were established using ICDAS II 2-6/C-G and ICDAS II 4-6/E-G criteria for comparison with WHO indicators. The Mann−Whitney U statistical test was used for comparison of two groups, the effect size was measured with the correlation coefficient. and the Kruskal−Wallis H test (p < 0.05) for multiple comparisons. Caries prevalence exceeded 87% for primary and permanent dentition. There were no significant differences according to province (p ≤ 0.05). The caries index at 6 years was 6.57 and at 12 years 9.21. The SIC was high at 12 years in rural areas. The prevalence of caries in the population studied was high despite the preventive measures established by health agencies.

Application of Selected Biomaterials and Stem Cells in the Regeneration of Hard Dental Tissue in Paediatric Dentistry-Based on the Current Literature

Currently, the development of the use of biomaterials and their application in medicine is causing rapid changes in the fields of regenerative dentistry. Each year, new research studies allow for the discovery of additional possibilities of dental tissue restoration. The structure and functions of teeth are complex. They consist of several diverse tissues that need to act together to ensure the tooth’s function and durability. The integrity of a tooth’s enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp tissue allows for successful mastication. Biomaterials that are needed in dentistry must withstand excessive loading forces, be biocompatible with the hosts’ tissues, and stable in the oral cavity environment. Moreover, each tooth’s tissue, as well as aesthetic qualities in most cases, should closely resemble the natural dental tissues. This is why tissue regeneration in dentistry is such a challenge. This scientific research focuses on paediatric dentistry, its classification of caries, and the use of biomaterials in rebuilding hard dental tissues. There are several methods described in the study, including classical conservative methods such as caries infiltration or stainless-steel crowns. Several clinical cases are present, allowing a reader to better understand the described methods. Although the biomaterials mentioned in this work are artificial, there is currently ongoing research regarding clinical stem cell applications, which have a high potential for becoming one of the most common techniques of lost dental-tissue regeneration in the near future. The current state of stem cell development is mentioned, as well as the various methods of its possible application in dentistry.

Comparative Evaluation of the Remineralizing Efficacy of Fluoride Varnish and its Combination Varnishes on White Spot Lesions in Children with ECC: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Aim

The aim of the study was to assess the remineralizing efficacy of fluoride and its combination varnishes on white spot lesion (WSL) in children with early childhood caries (ECC).

Materials and methods

Sixty children with active WSL on primary maxillary anterior teeth were randomly selected. At baseline, the WSL activity was evaluated using ICDAS II [lesion activity assessment (LAA)] and its dimensions through photographic method. They were allocated to group I (GI) (5% NaF), group II (GII) [5% NaF with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)], and group III (GIII) [5% NaF with casein phosphopeptides - amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP -ACP)]. First, oral hygiene instructions and diet counseling were given followed by application of fluoride varnishes in their respective groups. The same parameters were recorded at follow-up of 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks intervals. Data were collected and subjected to statistical analysis using Friedman Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.

Results

Overall, the active WSL changed to inactive over a period of 24 weeks in GI was 90%, GII was 95%, and 100% in GIII. There was a significant reduction in dimension of WSL in GI from 4.119 to 2.525 (p = 0.0001). Likewise, there was a significant reduction in dimension of WSL in GII and GIII from 4.586 to 3.258 and 4.696 to 1.2155, respectively (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001). Comparatively, group III (MI varnish) showed statistically significant reduction in the dimension of WSL from baseline to 24 weeks (p = 0.002). But the results were statistically insignificant with change of active lesions to its inactivity (p = 0.349).

Conclusion

Fluoride varnish with CPP-ACP was found to be an effective preventive strategy in reversing WSL in children with ECC.

Clinical relevance

These combination varnishes could prove to be a promising preventive measure for pediatric dentists in reversing white spot lesions of ECC.

Clinical trial registry

NCT03360266.

How to cite this article

Radha S, Kayalvizhi G, Adimoulame S, et al. Comparative Evaluation of the Remineralizing Efficacy of Fluoride Varnish and its Combination Varnishes on White Spot Lesions in Children with ECC: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(4):311-317.

Caries Activity and Ph Level Changes after Fluoride Varnish and Casein Phosphopeptides-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Application on Children's Saliva

Background

Caries is a disease affecting the hard tissue of the tooth wherein the demineralization process caused by Streptococcus mutans decreases saliva pH faster than the remineralization process can maintain it. Topical fluoridation, such as fluoride varnish and casein phosphopeptides-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) is the most common preventive therapy for the disease.

Aims

The aim of this study is to assess the difference between fluoride varnish and CPP-ACP in reducing saliva pH and caries activity.

Materials and Methods

This is an experimental study with a sample population of 60 children (aged 8-9 years old), divided into two groups of 30. Group 1 was treated with fluoride varnish, Group 2 with CPP-ACP. A t-test was used to measure the effects of the different treatments.

Results

The result showed that the average difference in saliva pH before and after application was -0.12933 in Group 1 and -0.14033 in Group 2 (P = 0.256). The average difference in caries activity before and after application was 3.189 log colony-forming units (CFUs)/mL in Group 1 and 2.237 log CFUs/mL in Group 2 (P = 0.275).

Conclusion

The most effective treatment for increasing saliva pH and reducing caries activity can be achieved by using the varnish for 1 month. However, there is no difference between fluoride varnish and CPP-ACP with regard to altering saliva pH and reducing caries activity statistically. Future study is needed to explore this result.

Prevalence and incidence of dental caries associated with the effect of tooth brushing and fluoride varnishing in schoolchildren at Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: Protocol of the EESO-Gal study

Introduction

Dental caries is the most prevalent oral disease in Ecuador. In our country, there are no studies that have included the population of the Galapagos Islands. Fluoride application to incipient lesions of dental caries has shown to be effective in avoiding the use of invasive restorative procedures.

Objectives

The objective of the EESO-Gal study is to determine the prevalence and incidence of dental caries and to evaluate the effect of supervised dental brushing, accompanied by periodic applications of fluoride varnish on incipient precarious lesions of schoolchildren in the Galapagos Islands. This article presents the protocol of the EESO-Gal study.

Methods

A cohort is planned with Galapagos Islands schoolchildren to determine the prevalence and incidence of dental caries, with assessments every six months, during twenty-four months.

Results

We expect to determine the prevalence and incidence of caries every six months, for twenty-four months, in schoolchildren between three and ten years of age, and obtain data to show the state of the caries conditions in Galapagos schoolchildren, with the inclusion of daily brushing at school, supervised by the teacher, and with the application of fluoride varnish every six months.

Conclusions

The prevalence of dental caries and incidence after the program will demonstrate the importance of implementing oral health prevention and promotion actions to create hygiene and health habits from an early age.

In vitro Comparison of Antimicrobial Activity of Conventional Fluoride Varnishes Containing Xylitol and Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate

Objective

Different fluoride varnishes are used for the prevention of dental caries. The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial effect of different fluoride varnishes, containing xylitol and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), on Streptococcus mutans.

Materials and Methods

In this in vitro study, the antibacterial effects of four varnishes, namely Polimo and V-varnish (containing xylitol), MI varnish (containing CPP-ACP), and Preventa, were evaluated against S. mutans. The disc diffusion method was used for testing the bacterial sensitivity. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests.

Results

According to the results, Polimo showed the highest antibacterial effects, compared to the other three varnishes (P ≤ 0.05). Growth inhibition zones were not observed in V-varnish and Preventa. The mean diameter of inhibition zone around the MI varnish was significantly higher, compared to those of the V varnish and Preventa (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

As the findings indicated, the fluoride varnish containing xylitol and CPP-ACP could be more effective iAQ1n the prevention of dental caries.