title: Effect of a chlorhexidine/thymol and a fluoride varnish on caries development in erupting permanent molars: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the caries preventive effect of a chlorhexidine/thymol-containing antibacterial varnish with a fluoride varnish when topically applied during the eruption of permanent molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 189 patients, 5-14 years of age, with one 1st or 2nd permanent molar in the process of eruption. After stratification for type of molar and stage of eruption, the patients were randomised to either quarterly topical applications with an antibacterial varnish (Cervitec(®) Plus; CV group) or biannual applications with a fluoride varnish plus biannual treatments with placebo varnish (Fluor Protector; FV group). The duration of the study was 2 years. The primary endpoint was caries incidence (initial and cavitated) in the erupting molars and the secondary outcome was salivary mutans streptococci (MS) counts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The groups were balanced with respect to socio-economy, oral hygiene, dietary habits and caries experience at baseline. The dropout rate was 11.6 %. The caries incidence was low (< 10 %) in both groups and there was no significant difference between the CV and FV groups with respect to occlusal caries development in the erupting molars (relative risk 1.08, 95 % CI 0.94-1.25). Significantly lower levels of salivary MS were disclosed in the CV group at the end of the study (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No difference in occlusal caries development in young permanent molars was displayed after topical applications of either a chlorhexidine/thymol varnish or a fluoride varnish during tooth eruption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2 Thivon Str, Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flamee
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2 Thivon Str, Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece. stgizani@dent.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gizani
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou str, 15780, Zografou, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caroni
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2 Thivon Str, Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Papagiannoulis
authors.affiliation: Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Allé 20, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Twetman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000187:drug effects*; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012821:Silanes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012923:Social Class; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects; D013943:Thymol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014078:Tooth Eruption
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012821:Silanes; C079161:chlorhexidine, thymol drug combination; D013943:Thymol; C022599:Fluor Protector; D002710:Chlorhexidine
keywords: Antibacterial agents; Children; Dental varnishes; Fissure caries; Mutans streptococci