BACKGROUND: Members of the practice-based research network Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning (PEARL) Network investigated the dentin caries activity in early occlusal lesions and its relationship to patient age, preoperative tooth sensitivity and radiographic appearance, as well as its influence on preparation depth and volume. METHODS: PEARL Network practitioner-investigators (P-Is) (n = 45), general dentists who were trained but whose methods were not calibrated, conducted a study regarding postoperative hypersensitivity in resin-based composite restorations. The P-Is enrolled as study participants 613 patients with occlusal carious lesions that, in the P-Is' clinical judgment, required restoration. The P-Is used baseline radiographs to assess the depth and extent of the lesions. Data for 671 restorations included baseline sensitivity; ranking of dentin caries activity on the opening of the enamel; radiographic visibility (n = 652); and measurements of preparation depth, width and length. RESULTS: P-Is found rapidly progressing dentin caries in 38.5 percent (258 of 671) of lesions and slowly progressing (and potentially inactive dentin) caries in the remainder of the lesions. Rapidly progressing caries was not related to the participant's age or participant-reported preoperative hypersensitivity but was related to the lesion depth as seen radiographically (P < .001) and depth (P < .001) and volume (P < .001) of the preparation. Molars had slightly higher but not statistically significant levels of caries activity. CONCLUSION: Rapidly progressing dentin caries, while present in only 38.5 percent of lesions, was related to the lesion's radiographic appearance but not to the participant's age or the study tooth's pre-operative sensitivity. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: On the basis of the low level of rapidly progressing dentin caries in this study population and the fact that slowly progressing caries can be inactive or remineralizing, the authors advise sealing versus operative treatment of early or shallow occlusal lesions.
BACKGROUND: Members of the practice-based research network Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning (PEARL) Network investigated the dentin caries activity in early occlusal lesions and its relationship to patient age, preoperative tooth sensitivity and radiographic appearance, as well as its influence on preparation depth and volume. METHODS: PEARL Network practitioner-investigators (P-Is) (n = 45), general dentists who were trained but whose methods were not calibrated, conducted a study regarding postoperative hypersensitivity in resin-based composite restorations. The P-Is enrolled as study participants 613 patients with occlusal carious lesions that, in the P-Is' clinical judgment, required restoration. The P-Is used baseline radiographs to assess the depth and extent of the lesions. Data for 671 restorations included baseline sensitivity; ranking of dentin caries activity on the opening of the enamel; radiographic visibility (n = 652); and measurements of preparation depth, width and length. RESULTS: P-Is found rapidly progressing dentin caries in 38.5 percent (258 of 671) of lesions and slowly progressing (and potentially inactive dentin) caries in the remainder of the lesions. Rapidly progressing caries was not related to the participant's age or participant-reported preoperative hypersensitivity but was related to the lesion depth as seen radiographically (P < .001) and depth (P < .001) and volume (P < .001) of the preparation. Molars had slightly higher but not statistically significant levels of caries activity. CONCLUSION: Rapidly progressing dentin caries, while present in only 38.5 percent of lesions, was related to the lesion's radiographic appearance but not to the participant's age or the study tooth's pre-operative sensitivity. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: On the basis of the low level of rapidly progressing dentin caries in this study population and the fact that slowly progressing caries can be inactive or remineralizing, the authors advise sealing versus operative treatment of early or shallow occlusal lesions.
Authors: John A Martin; Ashley C Grill; Abigail G Matthews; Don Vena; Van P Thompson; Ronald G Craig; Frederick A Curro Journal: J Periodontol Date: 2012-06-15 Impact factor: 6.993
Authors: Peter Blanchard; Ying Wong; Abigail G Matthews; Donald Vena; Ronald G Craig; Frederick A Curro; Van P Thompson Journal: Compend Contin Educ Dent Date: 2013-04
Authors: Brad Strober; Analia Veitz-Keenan; Julie Ann Barna; Abigail G Matthews; Donald Vena; Ronald G Craig; Frederick A Curro; Van P Thompson Journal: J Am Dent Assoc Date: 2013-08 Impact factor: 3.634
Authors: S K Makhija; G H Gilbert; E Funkhouser; J D Bader; V V Gordan; D B Rindal; D J Pihlstrom; V Qvist Journal: Caries Res Date: 2014-01-29 Impact factor: 4.056
Authors: Gary Berkowitz; Howard Spielman; Abigail Matthews; Donald Vena; Ronald Craig; Frederick Curro; Van Thompson Journal: Compend Contin Educ Dent Date: 2013-03
Authors: Analia Veitz-Keenan; Julie Ann Barna; Brad Strober; Abigail G Matthews; Damon Collie; Donald Vena; Frederick A Curro; Van P Thompson Journal: J Am Dent Assoc Date: 2013-05 Impact factor: 3.634