Renata Schlesner Oliveira

Effectiveness of a standardized treatment protocol for children with active non‐cavitated occlusal lesions on erupting permanent molars

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment for non-cavitated occlusal lesions on erupting permanent molars and to verify whether initial eruption stage and final biofilm accumulation are associated with lesions activity after the treatment. METHODS Forty-eight patients aged from 5 to 13 years old were selected. Molars with active non-cavitated lesions on the occlusal surface were classified according to eruption stage. Patients received a treatment for 4 weeks based on oral health instructions and fluoride applications. Three weeks after the end of the treatment, 39 patients were reassessed and lesion activity status and biofilm accumulation were recorded. Odds ratios were obtained using generalized estimating equations with logistic link function. RESULTS Partially erupted molars were more prone to remain caries-active than molars in full occlusion (E1: OR = 301.1; E2: OR = 49.0 and E3: OR = 1107.3). High biofilm accumulation was associated with the presence of active lesions. CONCLUSIONS Biofilm accumulation and eruption stage strongly influenced the effectiveness of a treatment for dental caries.

Laser surface engineering in dentistry

This chapter discusses the laser application in the oral cavity as an adjunct or an alternative to traditional approaches. This chapter first presents the effect of lasers on soft tissues (therapeutic use; surgical treatments; periodontal and endodontic applications) and the effect of lasers on hard tissues (caries detection; caries removal; caries prevention; treatment of dentin hypersensitivity by laser radiation; dental bleaching). Then the chapter discusses the new laser applications and future clinical researches.

Association between two visual criteria in assessing non-cavitated caries lesion activity on occlusal surfaces of permanent molars

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the association between two visual criteria in assessing non-cavitated caries lesion activity on occlusal surfaces of permanent molars.Materials and methodsThirty-nine patients with at least one permanent molar with non-cavitated caries lesion on the occlusal surface were selected. Molars were assessed according to their activity status following two criteria: ICDAS-LAA and a qualitative criterion based on clinical characteristics.ResultsThe results showed that the LAA criterion seems to overestimate caries activity. A weak association between both criteria in assessing caries lesion activity and low specificity for ICDAS-LAA was observed.ConclusionsThe ICDAS-LAA criterion is not suitable to assess non-cavitated caries lesion activity on occlusal surfaces of permanent molars because it assesses the lesions to be active more frequently than the qualitative criterion.Clinical relevanceThe determination of caries lesion activity is a key decision point in the treatment of caries disease. This study discusses the best option to assess the activity of non-cavitated occlusal caries lesions.