The present study aimed to assess the dentin lesion activity in non-superficial carious lesions affecting vital immature permanent molars and to investigate possible associations between microbiological status, clinical dentin alterations, and salivary cortisol levels. Study sample consisted of a total number of 22 immature permanent molars of 13 children. After clinical estimation of lesion activity, a fine sample of deep dentin layer was removed and inoculated on bacteria tests. Salivary cortisol was assessed using an ELISA method. Most molars were diagnosed as actively carious progressing. There was a gradual increase in the bacterial counts, with higher lactobacilli (p=0.001) and mutans streptococci (p=0.045) loads in deep carious lesions, without any salivary cortisol level association. The findings of the present study discriminate between different clinical characteristics of carious lesions, supporting a conservative cavity preparation approach.

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