Dentistry

Abstract

Twenty-Four Months Of Follow-Up After Partial Removal Of Carious Dentin: A Preliminary Study

Rando-Meirelles MPM, Tôrres LHN and Sousa MLR

Aim: Minimal intervention seeks to prevent and detect oral diseases at the earliest stage in order to minimize invasive treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of permanent molar teeth with deep lesions treated by complete or partial removal of carious dentin after follow-up over a 24-month period.
Methods: A total of 20 adolescents from Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil were screened; 11 had at least one deep carious lesion in permanent molars. Adolescents in whom 18 permanent molars required attention were randomly allocated to receive interventions. In the control group, nine teeth were submitted to complete removal of carious dentin, protection with calcium hydroxide and glass ionomer cement and restoration with resin composite. In the experimental group nine teeth were submitted to partial removal of carious dentin, protection with glass ionomer cement and restoration with resin composite. Radiographic examination and pulp vitality tests were performed 12-24 months after cavity sealing and the teeth were not reopened.
Results: Complete data were available for 16 teeth. One volunteer in the experimental group felt pain during the pulp vitality test after 12 months; however, there was spontaneous remission of symptoms and no image suggestive of periapical lesion. No teeth presented unsatisfactory clinical and radiographic response to treatment.
Conclusions: The results suggest that partial removal of carious dentin in a single session in permanent teeth could be indicated to maintain pulp vitality since no unsatisfactory clinical and radiographic results were shown.