The objective of this clinical study is to evaluate whether the use of the new CO2 - 9.3μm short-pulsed laser increases the caries resistance of occlusal pit and fissure surfaces in patients in addition to fluoride therapy. This will be quantified by visual exams with the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II), SOPROLIFE daylight and blue fluorescence, and DIAGNOdent Laser Light-induced Fluorescence. This is a randomized, single blind, prospective, split mouth controlled, clinical trial over 12 months.
The study is designed as randomized, single blind, prospective, split mouth controlled, clinical trial over 12 months. The subjects for this study will be recruited from the UCSF School of Dentistry. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria from the UCSF Predoctoral, Postgraduate Pediatric Dental and Postgraduate orthodontic clinics will have the study explained to them and be invited to participate. Young patients with moderate/high caries risk will be invited to enroll into the study. They will have to have a pair of two molars which have not been treated so far and are caries free and not sealed. The molar on patient's dominant side (right or left) will be randomly assigned to either the test or the control group with the contralateral non-dominant side receiving the other treatment. The test tooth will be treated with CO2 laser irradiation and fluoride varnish; the control tooth will receive fluoride varnish treatment alone. A baseline visual inspection using ICDAS II, white and blue light digital photographs (SOPROLIFE), and DIAGNOdent assessments will be made by a dentist prior to treatment. The patient will be asked to return for a 6-month and a 12-month follow up exam, at which time visual inspection with all testing methods will be conducted by the dentist who originally completed the baseline exam. The endpoint of the study for each participant will be when either the control or test tooth is found to have significant demineralization by ICDAS assessment (ICDAS code 3 - "localized enamel breakdown without clinical visual signs of dentinal involvement") or at the 12 month exam, whichever comes first. The control and test teeth might be sealed with a dental sealant at the end of the study. All data obtained will be analyzed for statistical significance.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
CO2 - 9.3μm short-pulsed laser irradiation will occur on the occlusal enamel surface. This results in changes in crystal composition and structure, which increase the resistance of dental mineral to dissolution by acid and will work to better prevent dental caries in the occlusal surface of vital teeth when compared to fluoride therapy alone over 12 months.
The Fluoride varnish is painted on the occlusal surface of the tooth. Fluoride varnish makes enamel more acid resistant.
UCSF School of Dentistry - Dental Offices in Bay Area
San Francisco, California, United States
International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) - Number of Molars With ICDAS Score of 3 or More - ICDAS Score 3, Cavity -
Difference in number of lesion changes into ICDAS score 3 (signifying a cavity) between matched case and control teeth (within patient) from baseline to 6 months and baseline to 12 months. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) is a visual assessment of the caries levels. The ICDAS score ranges from 0 to 6, with score 0 meaning no demineralization at all, score 3 means a first physical loss of enamel, and score 6 means a huge cavity.
Time frame: 1 year
Change in ICDAS Scores - International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) -
Differences in change in ICDAS scores between matched case and control teeth (within patient) from baseline to 6 months and baseline to 12 months. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) is a visual assessment of the caries levels. The ICDAS score ranges from 0 to 6, with the score 0 meaning no demineralization at all, score 3 means a first physical loss of enamel, and score 6 means a huge cavity.
Time frame: 1 year
Change in SOPROlife Scores
Differences in change in SOPROlife scores between matched case and control teeth (within patient) from baseline to 6 months and baseline to 12 month. The SOPROlife score (name of the intraoral camera system) is a visual assessment of the caries levels. The SOPROlife score ranges from 0 to 6, with score 0 meaning no demineralization at all, and score 6 means a huge cavity.
Time frame: 1 year
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PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60