Ex vivo Evaluation of Caries Infiltration after Different Application Times in Primary Molars

Abstract

Low viscosity resins (infiltrants) have been shown to penetrate the lesion body of natural caries lesions almost completely in vitro. However, penetration depths (PD) have not been evaluated in vivo. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the penetration of an infiltrant into proximal caries lesions in primary molars after different application times using an ex vivo model. 59 proximal lesions from 34 children were randomly allocated to one of the application times and were infiltrated under clinical conditions for 1, 3, or 5 min. After extraction or exfoliation (n = 48), teeth were sectioned perpendicular to their surfaces and lesion depths (LD) as well as lesion areas (LA) were evaluated using polarized light microscopy. PD and penetration areas (PA) were measured on scanning electron microscopic images. Percentage penetration depth (PPD) and percentage penetration area (PPA) were calculated. The mean (±SD) LD and LA were 596 ± 203 µm and 4.03 ± 2.75 × 10⁵ µm², respectively. PPD ranged from 70 to 80% and PPA from 54 to 60%. Longer application times did not result in significantly deeper or more complete penetration (p > 0.05; ANOVA). In conclusion, proximal caries lesions in primary molars can be infiltrated in vivo to a similar extent as observed previously in vitro. Moreover, 1-min application of the infiltrant led to PD and homogeneity similar to those observed with longer application times up to 5 min.

Resin Infiltration of Fissure Caries with Various Techniques of Pretreatment in vitro

“…This corroborates findings for proximal lesions Soviero et al, 2012]. The study hypothesis that modifications of the pretreatment would lead to a significantly enhanced and almost complete infiltration into occlusal lesions could only partially be confirmed, since a modified HCl gel (Etch NB + Inf) alone could not improve the penetration abilities of the infiltrant.…”

“…Previous studies argued that the measurement of the infiltrated area reflects penetration abilities of an infiltrant better compared with a 1-point measurement [Neuhaus et al, 2012;Soviero et al, 2012]. In the present study penetration was evaluated by both a 1-point measurement at the deepest lesion site as well as by mean values of a multiple-point measurement.…”

The effect of resin infiltration on the color of white spot lesions after ort hodontic treatment over one year period (in vivo study)

“…if the effect of bleaching is less than desired. In the micro-invasive technique, the carious enamel lesion is infiltrated with low viscosity light curing resin (6) . The resin matrix could strengthen the enamel structure thereby preventing cavitations or break down of the enamel surface (7) .…”

Attempt to assess the infiltration of enamel made with experimental preparation using a scanning electron microscope

“…The infiltration method is a very good solution for the treatment of children and teenagers in cases of both permanent and deciduous teeth. Most of all, it is painless and fast, helping small patients to overcome their fear of dental procedures, while their parents, if they take care of their children’s oral cavities and follow a regular check-up schedule, can spare them pain and discomfort [3]. An ideal infiltrant material should be: hydrophobic, possess high surface tension, have a low viscosity, bacteriostatic, non-toxic, homogeneous polymerization, and be resistance to chemical and mechanical changes in the surrounding environment, and aesthetic acceptability [1].…”