Effect of Resin Infiltration on Enamel: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Subsurface enamel demineralization beneath an intact surface layer or white spots lesions (WSL) can and should be treated with non-invasive procedures to impede the development of a cavitated lesion. We aim to analyze if infiltrative resin improves enamel roughness, microhardness, shear bond strength, and penetration depth. MEDLINE [via Pubmed], Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Web of Science, Scholar, and LILACS were searched until May 2021. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Clinical Appraisal Checklist for Experimental Studies. Pairwise ratio of means (ROM) meta-analyses were carried out to compare the enamel properties after treatment with infiltrative resin on sound enamel and WSLs. From a total of 1604 articles, 48 studies were included. Enamel surface roughness decreased 35% in sound enamel (95%CI: 0.49–0.85, I2 = 98.2%) and 54% in WSLs (95%CI: 0.29–0.74, I2 = 98.5%). Microhardness reduced 24% in sound enamel (95%CI: 0.73–0.80, I2 = 99.1%) and increased by 68% in WSLs (95%CI: 1.51; 1.86, I2 = 99.8%). Shear bond strength reduced of 25% in sound enamel (95%CI: 0.60; 0.95, I2 = 96.9%) and increased by 89% in WSLs (95%CI: 1.28–2.79, I2 = 99.8%). Penetration depth was 65.39% of the WSLs (95%CI: 56.11–74.66, I2 = 100%). Infiltrative resins effectively promote evident changes in enamel properties in sound and WSLs. Future studies with long-term follow-ups are necessary to corroborate these results from experimental studies.

Evaluation of Enamel Acid Resistance and Whitening Effect of the CAP System

“…Similarly, in our study, the CAP system group showed a decline in the amount of parenchymatous defects in the teeth and maintained higher HV values than the APF group ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 ). The previous studies have also shown that when the teeth are demineralized, their microstructure changes and hardness decreases [ 16 ]; HV is used for the qualitative evaluation of the degree of enamel demineralization and is considered an indicator of tooth acid resistance in the fields of dental engineering and conservative dentistry [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Resin Infiltration of Non-Cavitated Enamel Lesions in Paediatric Dentistry: A Narrative Review

“…In different ICDAS codes, better penetration was reported in enamel lesions (ICDAS code 2–3) in contrast to the deeper lesion [ 102 ]. This was further supported by a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Liang et al [ 103 ] and later Soveral et al [ 82 ], where both authors described the limited ability of the resin to infiltrate deep into the dentinal lesion.…”

“…High patient satisfaction has been reported following the infiltration of WSL [ 79 , 80 ]. Further, infiltration improves the surface microhardness [ 81 ] and shear bond strength while reducing the surface roughness of the infiltrated WSL [ 82 ].…”

Using Resin Infiltration Technique and Direct Composite Restorations for the Treatment of Carious Lesions with Different Depths

“…In addition to their preserving feature due to little to no preparation required, resin composites also provide excellent esthetics in the anterior region [ 19 ]. It is known that the application of resin infiltration increases the bond strength between the white spot lesions and the resin composite [ 20 ]. Therefore, it can be said that it is a rational method to support resin composites in places where the resin infiltration method is insufficient.…”