Effect of silver diammine fluoride on incipient caries lesions in erupting permanent first molars: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This study's purpose was to test silver diammine fluoride (SDF) in arresting incipient occlusal caries in erupting permanent first molars and to compare it with other approaches.


METHODS
Sixty-six first erupting permanent molars were randomly divided into 3 groups: cross tooth-brushing technique (CTT), application of SDF, and glass ionomer fissure sealant (GIC). The clinical procedures were conducted by the same dentist. Teeth were assessed clinically by 1 blinded examiner using visual inspection at baseline and after 3, 6, 12, 18, and 30 months and radiographically at 6-, 12-, and 30-month follow-up evaluations. The Kruskall-Wallis test was used to compare noninvasive treatments, and the Friedman test was performed to evaluate differences for each group during different follow-up periods.


RESULTS
A reduced number of active caries lesions was noted in all groups. After 3 and 6 months, SDF showed a significantly greater capacity for arresting caries lesions than CTT and GIC. At 18- and 30-month evaluations, no differences were observed among the 3 groups. All groups showed differences between baseline and all follow-up re-examinations.


CONCLUSIONS
All the tested techniques are equally efficient in controlling initial occlusal caries in erupting permanent first molars after 30-months of follow-up.
Braga
M M
MM
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. mmbraga@usp.br
Mendes
F M
FM
De Benedetto
M S
MS
Imparato
J C P
JC