IADR Abstract Archives
Root Caries Arrest With High-Fluoride Dentifrices in Community-dwelling Elders, RCT
Objectives: Self-administered non-invasive therapy with high-fluoride dentifrices is an attractive alternative to traditional restorative treatment, but evidence is still scarce. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) was to compare the effectiveness of toothbrushing with 5,000 ppm versus 1,450 ppm fluoridated toothpaste (F-toothpaste) on preventing and arresting root carious lesions, in community-dwelling elders.
Methods: A 12-month double-blinded RCT was devised with a calculated sample size of 345 independently-living older adults. Volunteers had to have at least 5 teeth in the mouth and one root carious lesion. Participants were randomly assigned to the arms of the study: high-fluoride (5,000 ppm F) or normal F-toothpaste control (1,450 ppm F) dentifrice. Subjects were instructed to brush twice a day only with the assigned F-toothpaste. Incidence and arrest of existing root carious lesions was recorded at 12 months and compared with baseline data. Baseline and follow-up clinical examinations were performed by one calibrated examiner. Data were compared between both arms and differences considered significant if p<0.05.
Results: At 12-month, root caries incidence was 40% and 3% in the 1,450 ppm and 5,000 ppm F-toothpaste group, respectively, with a relative risk (RR) of 0.064, CI: [0.05-0.08]. From the total of active lesions at baseline, 52% were still active in the control group, but only 3.6% in the 5,000 ppm toothpaste group. Conversely, more lesions progressed from inactive to active after 12 months in the control group (40%; 1,450 ppm F) than in the high-fluoride toothpaste treatment (2%; 5,000 ppm F).
Conclusions: Results strongly suggest a more effective root caries control with 5,000 ppm than with regular 1,450 ppm F-toothpaste. Self-administered non-invasive therapy with high-fluoride was effective in arresting active root carious lesions and also in preventing the onset of new lesions, in community-dwelling elders. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02647203.
Methods: A 12-month double-blinded RCT was devised with a calculated sample size of 345 independently-living older adults. Volunteers had to have at least 5 teeth in the mouth and one root carious lesion. Participants were randomly assigned to the arms of the study: high-fluoride (5,000 ppm F) or normal F-toothpaste control (1,450 ppm F) dentifrice. Subjects were instructed to brush twice a day only with the assigned F-toothpaste. Incidence and arrest of existing root carious lesions was recorded at 12 months and compared with baseline data. Baseline and follow-up clinical examinations were performed by one calibrated examiner. Data were compared between both arms and differences considered significant if p<0.05.
Results: At 12-month, root caries incidence was 40% and 3% in the 1,450 ppm and 5,000 ppm F-toothpaste group, respectively, with a relative risk (RR) of 0.064, CI: [0.05-0.08]. From the total of active lesions at baseline, 52% were still active in the control group, but only 3.6% in the 5,000 ppm toothpaste group. Conversely, more lesions progressed from inactive to active after 12 months in the control group (40%; 1,450 ppm F) than in the high-fluoride toothpaste treatment (2%; 5,000 ppm F).
Conclusions: Results strongly suggest a more effective root caries control with 5,000 ppm than with regular 1,450 ppm F-toothpaste. Self-administered non-invasive therapy with high-fluoride was effective in arresting active root carious lesions and also in preventing the onset of new lesions, in community-dwelling elders. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02647203.