Abstracts from other journals

The aim of the present study was to clinically evaluate fissure sealants on the occlusal fissures and buccal pits of permanent first and second molars after 20 and 15 years, respectively. The population consisted of 72 children, each of whom had had their four first molars sealed between 1977 and 1980. At the annual examinations, all caries-free, newly erupted second molars were sealed. When sealant was applied to the second molars, the first molars were checked and sealant was reapplied to those that had deficient sealants. At the follow-up, when the subjects were 26–27 years of age, 27 in the original group had moved from the community. Thus, the present result is based on 45 subjects. One hundred and fifty-three sealed first molars and 161 sealed second molars were available for inspection. At the follow-up examination of the first molars 20 years after sealant had been applied, 65% showed complete retention, 22% partial retention without caries, and 1306 caries or restoration in the occlusal fissures or buccal pits. At the 15-year follow-up of the second molars, the corresponding figures were 65%, 30% and 5%, respectively. Of the restored or carious molars, significantly more were found in the mandible than in the maxilla ( P  < 0.001). This longitudinal study showed that pit and fissure sealants, applied during childhood, have a long-lasting, caries-preventive effect.     

Complete or ultraconservative removal of decayed tissue in unfilled teeth

Background : The treatment of deep dental decay has traditionally involved removal of all the soft demineralized dentine before a filling is placed. However, this has been challenged in three groups of studies which involve sealing soft caries into the tooth. The three main groups either remove no caries and seal the decay into the tooth, remove minimal (ultraconservative) caries at the entrance to a cavity and seal the remaining caries in, or remove caries in stages over two visits some months apart to allow the pulp time to lay down reparative dentine (the stepwise excavation technique). Objectives : To test the null hypothesis of no difference in the incidence of damage or disease of the nerve of the tooth (pulp), progression of decay and longevity of restorations irrespective of whether the removal of decay had been minimal (ultraconservative) or complete. Search strategy : The Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched. The reference lists in relevant papers were checked. Selection criteria : Randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials comparing minimal (ultraconservative) caries removal with complete caries removal in unrestored permanent and deciduous teeth. Data collection and analysis : Outcome measures recorded were exposure of the nerve of the tooth (pulp) during caries removal, patient experience of symptoms of pulpal inflammation or necrosis, progression of caries under the filling, time until the filling was lost or replaced. Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies the overall estimate of effect was calculated using a random‐effects model. Main results : Four studies met the inclusion criteria; two stepwise excavation studies and two ultraconservative caries removal studies. Partial caries removal in symptomless, primary or permanent teeth reduces the risk of pulp exposure. We found no detriment to the patient in terms of pulpal symptoms in this procedure and no reported premature loss or deterioration of the restoration. Authors' conclusions : The results of this systematic review reject the null hypothesis of no difference in the incidence of damage or disease of the nerve of the tooth (pulp) irrespective of whether the removal of decay had been minimal (ultraconservative) or complete and accepts the null hypothesis of no difference in the progression of decay and longevity of restorations. However, the number of included studies is small and differ considerably. Partial caries removal is therefore preferable to complete caries removal in the deep lesion, in order to reduce the risk of carious exposure. However, there is insufficient evidence to know whether it is necessary to re‐enter and excavate further but studies that have not re‐entered do not report adverse consequences. Plain language summary : A systematic review of the literature revealed four studies comparing complete and minimal (ultraconservative) caries removal. It was found that partial caries removal in symptomless, primary or permanent teeth reduces the risk of pulp exposure. We found no detriment to the patient in terms of pulpal symptoms in this procedure. Therefore, partial caries removal is preferable to complete caries removal in the deep lesion, in order to reduce the risk of carious exposure. However, there is insufficient evidence to know whether it is necessary to re‐enter and excavate further but studies that have not re‐entered do not report adverse consequences.