Results after 3 years of non‐operative occlusal caries treatment of erupting permanent first molars

TLDR

The study aimed to report 3‑year outcomes of a non‑operative occlusal caries program based on intensive education and professional cleaning. The program was evaluated in 56 6‑to‑8‑year‑old children with erupting first molars, compared to 58 age‑matched controls receiving conventional fissure sealing. Over three years the intervention reduced plaque, increased arrested lesions, required fewer recalls, and achieved comparable or better caries control with less clinical time than conventional sealing.

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the study was to describe the 3‐yr results of a treatment program designed to control occlusal caries on the basis of intensive patient education and professional toothcleaning. The sample consisted of 56 children 6–8 yr old with their permanent right first molars in different stages of eruption. The results were compared with record data from 58 children of the same age who had received a traditional caries treatment program including fissure sealing (control group). After 1 yr a significant reduction of occlusal surfaces with visible plaque was noted in the study group as well as an increased proportion of arrested lesions. These results were maintained after 2 and 3 yr. Ten (9%) teeth were sealed and one filled during the study period. Examination of record data in the control group over a 3‐yr period revealed that 76 (65%) first molars were sealed and 7 (6%) were filled. During the first year 1/3 of the children in the study group needed 5–6 recall visits, whereas in the following period all children were only seen 1–4 times. In contrast, 50% of the children in the control group needed 5–6 recalls in the 3rd yr. Our data indicate that professional care for erupting teeth on an individual basis has a long‐term effect on occlusal surfaces as well. The alternative technique required less clinical time than the traditional application of sealants.