Dynamics of caries activity and caries reduction in group prophylaxis with fluoride gel

Abstract

Aim: The study aims at following up the dynamics of caries activity (As) and caries reduction (Rs) of first permanent molars (M1) in group prophylaxis with 0.42% fluoride gel in groups with relatively low caries risk.

Methods: A three-year-long study on 213 7-year olds from Plovdiv was carried out. Children were assigned to two groups - an experimental group and a control group. The children in both groups had no clinical caries on M1 (DMFS = 0) and dft < the means for seven-year olds in Plovdiv. The screening procedure excluded children who were undergoing orthodontic treatment. Eight applications of 0.42% fluoride gel each at 3-month intervals were made in the experimental group.

Results: In the first two years caries activity was significantly higher in the control group. In the third year, after discontinuing gel application caries activity in the experimental group slightly increased while that in the control group decreased. No statistically significant differences were found. Caries reduction was highest in the first year (73.12%) with slight decline in the 2nd year (71.12%). In the 3rd year caries reduction was only 17.07%. Despite this, Rs of M1 as measured for the whole period at the end of the 3rd year was 61.93%.

Conclusion: The first permanent molars are susceptible to caries attack even in groups with relatively low caries risk. The results of this study demonstrate the high effectiveness of prophylaxis using fluoride gel.