title: Deep caries lesions after incomplete dentine caries removal: 40-month follow-up study.
abstract: Radiographic changes after indirect pulp capping (32 teeth in 27 patients) were studied for up to 36-45 months. Radiolucent zone (RZ) depth and tertiary dentine formation were assessed qualitatively and changes in radiographic density (by image subtraction) in RZ and control areas (CA) were estimated. During follow-up there were 1 pulp necrosis, 1 pulp exposure, 3 fractures and 3 withdrawals. Twelve cases showed decreased RZ depth and 4 displayed tertiary dentine. No changes with time in density of CA or RZ, or in the difference between them, were observed. It is concluded that indirect pulp capping arrests lesion progression, suggesting that complete dentine caries removal is not essential for caries control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Preventive Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. mmaltz@ufrgs.br
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maltz
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fontanella
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carminatti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods*; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome