Effect of semi-annual applications of a chlorhexidine/fluoride varnish mixture on approximal caries incidence in schoolchildren. A three-year radiographic study.

Development and progression of approximal caries is still difficult to prevent and control even in societies with declining caries prevalence. In this study, a test group of 115 12-yr old children were treated semi-annually with a mixture (1:1) of a varnish containing 0.1% F (Fluor Protector) and 1.0% chlorhexidine (Cervitec). A reference group of 104 children received fluoride varnish treatment (Fluor Protector) semi-annually. Approximal caries was recorded from bitewing radiographs at baseline and after 3 yr. At baseline, total decayed and filled surfaces (DFS) including enamel caries were 1.79+/-2.36 in the reference group and 2.0+/-2.77 in the test group. After 3 yr, the mean approximal caries incidence including enamel caries was 3.01+/-3.74 and 3.78+/-4.32, respectively. The differences at baseline as well as after 3 yr were not statistically significant. The results showed that both groups had a comparatively low incidence of approximal caries during the experimental period, and suggest that a mixture of fluoride and antibacterial varnish had no additional preventive effect on approximal caries incidence compared with fluoride varnish treatments alone.