A clinical evaluation of two methods of caries prevention in newly-erupted first permanent molars.

A two-stage topical treatment regime, AgF followed by SnF2, was used as a caries preventive measure in newly-erupted first permanent molars in a group of children. Another group of children, from similar geographic and socio-economic backgrounds was treated by a one stage topical application of SnF2 only. The teeth treated were observed at six-monthly intervals for a period of 18 months, and showed a significantly higher incidence of caries developing when treated with SnF2 only.