Effect of glass-ionomer cement on the progression of proximal caries

Although effective preventive strategies exist for pit and fissure caries,prevention of proximal caries remains a significant challenge. this split-mouth study was designed to investigate the effect of glass-ionomer cement (gic) on the progression of initial proximal caries in posterior teeth,testing the hypothesis that local application of fluoride-releasing gic would reduce this progression. gic was applied to 41 pairs of posterior teeth after elastic band separation in 7- to 19-year-old individuals. follow-up bitewing radiographs were taken at 6 and 12 months. differences in δ mean lesion depth at 6 and 12 months between test and control groups were significant (p < 0.05,p < 0.000). lesions treated with gic were more likely to remain in or regress to the outer half of enamel (or = 6.3; 95%ci,1.3-30.9). gic provides an effective approach to the clinical management of incipient proximal caries. © 2011 international & american associations for dental research.