Retention of Fuji VII GIC Coating on Decayed Primary Teeth

Fuji VII GIC releases six times more fluoride than other conventional glass ionomer cements and has the potential to arrest caries. Objectives: to investigate the retention of Fuji VII GIC when placed over un-excavated and partially-excavated carious lesions in primary teeth. Methods: Pilot double blind split-mouth clinical trial. 50 children aged 6-10 years old were selected from one primary school. Decayed vital primary teeth (C, D, E) were included in the study. On one side of the mouth primary tooth caries was partially excavated, and a thin layer of Fuji VII applied. On the opposite side, no excavation was carried out before the application of the GIC. Results: at 3 months the complete or partial retention of GIC in the excavated group was 60%, compared with 43% in the non-excavated group. There was significantly greater retention of GIC over occlusal and buccal lesions - compared with inter-proximal lesions – for both groups. Only 22% of GIC coatings had been completely lost from occlusal and buccal lesions in the excavated group, compared with 52% loss from proximal lesions. Conclusion: Retention rates of GIC over carious lesions in this study were only moderate, although higher for partially excavated and for occlusal/buccal lesions, compared with un-excavated and inter-proximal lesions. (This study was supported in part by GC Company)