Effect of xylitol and xylitol-fluoride lozenges on approximal caries development in high-caries-risk children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of xylitol- and xylitol/fluoride-containing lozenges on approximal caries development in young adolescents with high caries risk.


METHODS
A 2-year double-blind trial with two parallel arms and a nonrandomized reference group.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty healthy 10- to 12-year-old children with high caries risk were selected. After informed consent, they were randomly assigned into a xylitol and a xylitol/fluoride group. They were instructed to take two tablets three times a day (total xylitol and fluoride dose 2.5 g and 1.5 mg, respectively). The compliance was checked continuously and scored as good, fair, or poor. A reference no-tablet group was also selected (n = 70) for group comparison. The outcome measure was approximal caries incidence.


RESULTS
The dropout rate was 28%, and 41% exhibited a good compliance with the study protocol. No statistically significant differences in caries incidence could be found between the study groups (P > 0.05). Among a subgroup of children who demonstrated good compliance, the mean DeltaDMFSa value was significantly lower in the xylitol/fluoride group compared to the xylitol group, 1.0 +/- 2.3 vs. 3.3 +/- 4.6 (P < 0.05), while no difference could be displayed between any of the study groups and the reference group (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this 2-year trial did not support a self-administered regimen of xylitol- or xylitol/fluoride-containing lozenges for the prevention of approximal caries in young adolescents with high caries risk.
Stecksén-Blicks
Christina
C
Department of Odontology, Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. christina.stecksenblicks@odont.umu.se
Holgerson
Pernilla Lif
PL
Twetman
Svante
S
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000379:methods; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012646:Self Administration; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013607:Tablets; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014993:Xylitol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D013607:Tablets; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D014993:Xylitol