Arrest of root caries with an adjuvant chlorhexidine–fluoride varnish over a 12-months observation period: a QLF-analyzed, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial (RCT)
Kyung-Jin Park, Thomas Meißner, Elena Günther, Gerhard Schmalz, Tanja Kottmann, Felix Krause, Rainer Haak, Dirk Ziebolz
Abstract
Abstract This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of an adjuvant chlorhexidine–fluoride varnish (Cervitec F) for prevention and arrest of root caries on elderly participants using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). 23 participants with two or three non-cavitated root carious lesions were included and assigned to three groups of different varnishes (CF: Cervitec F, P: placebo, DP: Duraphate). Agents were applied once to root surface at baseline and in follow-up after 3, 6 and 9 months. The lesions were assessed clinically and with QLF. QLF-images were analyzed regarding fluorescence loss (Δ F ), lesion volume (Δ Q ) and bacterial activity (Δ R ) before ( t 0 ), after 14 days ( t 1 ), 6- ( t 2 ) and 12-months ( t 3 ). CF showed a significant difference between t 0 and t 3 : ∆ F (− 12.51 [15.41] vs. − 7.80 [16.72], p = 0.012), ∆ Q (− 2339.97 (20,898.30) vs. − 751.82 (5725.35), p < 0.001), ∆ R (23.80 [41.70] vs. 7.07 [37.50], p = 0.006). Independently of the varnish application, preventive care seems positively influence the root caries progress. Although within CF group the strongest effect was observed, no superiority of a specific varnish application was confirmed over a 12-months QLF observation period. Extra topical fluoride can help remineralise dentin lesions and QLF can be used as a measurement method to determine changes in the dentin lesions.