title: Sealing distal proximal caries lesions in first primary molars: efficacy after 2.5 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of proximal caries in primary molar teeth is high in many countries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  (1) To study by means of a split-mouth design the 1- and 2.5-year efficacy of sealing proximal lesions vs. flossing instructions (control) on primary molar teeth. (2) To assess children's behaviour and pain perception during the procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one 4- to 6-year-old children from Bogotá, Colombia participated. Participants had to have at least two proximal lesions scored according to the following radiographic classification system: radiolucency (1) in enamel outer half, (2) restricted to enamel-dentine junction, or (3) restricted to dentine outer third. Baseline, 1- and 2.5-year follow-up bitewing radiographs were taken. Test and control lesions were randomly selected. After temporary separation test lesions were sealed (adhesive). Parents/caregivers received a flossing leaflet for their children. Progression of the lesions was assessed by means of independent reading of conventional bitewing radiographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-year (n = 73) test vs. control lesion progression was 27.4 vs. 50.7%, respectively (p < 0.01, McNemar's test), and 2.5-year (n = 56) test vs. control lesion progression was 46.4 vs. 71.4%, respectively (p < 0.01). The dropouts did not differ from those who remained in the study regarding relevant caries baseline data. More than 88% of the participants presented positive to definitively positive behaviour and very low or low pain intensity at both first and second appointments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sealing technique was superior to flossing instructions both after 1 and 2.5 years of follow-up and the majority of the participants had no anxiety or pain during the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Caries Research Unit UNICA, Dental Faculty, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia. martignonstefania@unbosque.edu.co
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martignon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tellez
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Santamaría
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ekstrand
mesh_terms: D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011859:Radiography; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; C115612:single bond; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate