Treatment of root caries lesions with chlorhexidine-containing varnishes and dentin sealants.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of chlorhexidine-containing varnishes and dentin sealants on the progress of demineralization, cariogenic bacteria and clinical appearance of root caries lesions.


METHODS
68 lesions in 22 adult patients, with a mean age of 51.3 +/- 13.8 years were enrolled in this study. After the removal of soft, infected dentin, all lesions were randomly sealed with (1.) Cervitec, used as control (CE), (2.) EC 40 (EC), (3.) Prime and Bond NT (PB) or (4.) Seal & Protect (SP). Clinical appearance, laser fluorescence diagnosis (DIAGNOdent) and bacteriological status were recorded at intervals of 1 and 3 months.


RESULTS
Regarding alteration of surface texture and color of the lesions, differences between the groups were not detected. Application of EC resulted in suppressed MS counts after 3 months (P < 0.05). Initial lower MS counts were observed in the CE group (P = 0.053). Laser fluorescence values increased in the chlorhexidine groups (CE = 27.9 +/- 17.5, EC = 28.3 +/- 26.0) but remained stable in the sealant groups (PB = 15.1 +/- 22.0, SP = 10.2 +/- 7.3), (P < 0.05).
Wicht
Michael J
MJ
Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 32, 50931 Cologne, Germany. Michael.Wicht@medizin.uni-koeln.de
Haak
Rainer
R
Lummert
Daniel
D
Noack
Michael J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003804:Dentin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005453:Fluorescence; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development; D007834:Lasers; D008875:Middle Aged; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017213:Root Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000254:growth & development; D013943:Thymol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000517:prevention & control
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C477721:EC40 dental varnish; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C425843:Prime and Bond NT; D019279:Resin Cements; C442646:Seal and Protect resin cement; C079161:chlorhexidine, thymol drug combination; D013943:Thymol; D002710:Chlorhexidine