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Objective. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the reliability of the Carisolv system with respect to drilling regarding the full removal of decayed hard tissues in primary dentition. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify controlled trails, randomized controlled trials and clinical trials that compared the Carisolv system to the traditional mechanical caries removal in the primary dentition. Materials and methods. The main relevant databases were searched: MEDLINE via PUBMED, Web of Science and SCOPUS. Complete caries removal, length of working time and need of local anesthesia were the outcomes evaluated. Results. A total of 195 studies were identified and complete analysis of 28 studies was performed; finally, 10 papers were included. The trials included involved a total of 348 patients for 532 treated teeth. There was no significant difference in terms of clinical efficacy between the Carisolv and the rotary instrument (z = 0.68, p = 0.50), whereas the treatment with Carisolv was significantly longer in terms of time with respect to the rotary instruments (z = 10.49, p < 0.01). The chemo mechanical technique reduces the need for local anesthesia, with a difference between two types of treatment near to statistical significance (z = 1.91 p = 0.06). Conclusions. This systematic review indicates that the clinical efficacy of chemo-mechanical removal with Carisolv seems as reliable as the rotary instruments. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the heterogeneity among study designs and to the shortage of available data. Further large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This paper aims to provide a systematic review of the caries-prevention effect of fluoridated food, excluding water. The main aim of this review was to evaluate the presence of scientific evidence relating to the effects of fluoride intake via food on the occurrence of carious lesions. The outcome was defined as a clinical outcome, so only papers evaluating a decrease in caries indices were included. Materials and methods. Relevant databases (Medline®, Embase®, The Cochrane Library) were searched. The date range was set from 01.01.1966 to 03.31.2011. One hundred and thirty-nine reports were identified and assessed. Only three papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were discussed in detail. Results. No paper related to the use of fluoridated salt in caries prevention fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The use of milk as a vehicle for providing additional fluoride in a dental public health programme was evaluated in two papers. The consumption of fluoridated milk was an effective measure to prevent caries in the primary teeth. The use of fluoridated sugar demonstrated a reduction in caries increment in the permanent dentition in one paper. Conclusions. Literature on the effectiveness of fluoridation in foods in caries prevention is scant and almost all the studies have been conducted in children. There is low evidence that the use of milk fluoridation is effective in reducing the caries increment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The aim of our study was to assess the caries risk profile in a group of Sardinian schoolchildren and to compare the outcome with their history of caries. Material and methods. Using the computer-based program “Cariogram”, 957 subjects aged 7, 8, and 9 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The children were examined to evaluate dmfs/DMFS and gingival conditions. Data on dietary and oral hygiene habits were collected and saliva was analyzed, including levels of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (Lb). Based on the Cariogram profiles, the children were divided into five risk groups in accordance with “chance of avoiding caries”. Results. Almost 50% of the children had a low caries risk, while more than a quarter had less than 40% “chance of avoiding caries”. A significant linear trend between the five Cariogram categories and dmfs/DMFS was observed in the three age groups (p<0.001). Conclusions. The Cariogram risk profile showed strong correlations to the caries experience of Sardinian schoolchildren and that efforts to reduce caries risk are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]