Effectiveness of preventive treatment on approximal caries progression in posterior primary and permanent teeth: a review

Abstract

Aim: A literature review to assess the effectiveness of preventive treatment on approximal caries progression in posterior teeth is presented.

Methods: Retrospective and prospective studies conducted on primary and permanent teeth published in the literature were identified and reviewed.

Results: The assessment of the reviewed studies showed that they were inconclusive regarding the primary teeth. The studies reviewed showed that different preventive measures, especially fluoride varnish, fluoride solution and fluoridated toothpaste, had a significant effect on the retardation of the progression of approximal lesions in permanent teeth. However, the survival time of approximal caries at the non-restorative stage after application of a preventive treatment, the frequency of application of a preventive measure, the most effective preventive measure, the suitable interval of taking radiographs to evaluate the progression of a lesion and the health and economic benefits cannot be determined from the reviewed studies.

Conclusion: It was concluded that further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of various preventive measures on approximal caries progression.