title: Results from the Xylitol for Adult Caries Trial (X-ACT).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although caries is prevalent in adults, investigators have tested few preventive therapies in adult populations. In a randomized controlled trial, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of xylitol lozenges in preventing caries in adults at elevated risk of developing caries.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Xylitol for Adult Caries Trial (X-ACT) was a three-site placebo-controlled randomized trial. Participants (n = 691) aged 21 through 80 years consumed five 1.0-gram xylitol or placebo lozenges daily for 33 months. They underwent clinical examinations at baseline and at 12, 24 and 33 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Xylitol lozenges reduced the caries increment 10 percent. This reduction, which represented less than one-third of a surface per year, was not statistically significant. There was no indication of a dose-response effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Daily use of xylitol lozenges did not result in a statistically or clinically significant reduction in 33-month caries increment among adults at an elevated risk of developing caries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that xylitol used as a supplement in adults does not reduce their caries experience significantly.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB#7450, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27599-7450, USA. jim_bader@unc.edu
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bader
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Vollmer
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Shugars
authors.forename: Gregg H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Bennett T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Amaechi
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Reesa L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Laws
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Funkhouser
authors.forename: Sonia K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Makhija
authors.forename: André V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Leo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003442:Crowns / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility / Q000187:drug effects; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010919:Placebos; D017213:Root Caries / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000145:classification; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D010919:Placebos; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D005459:Fluorides; D014993:Xylitol